Preparation of N,N-Dimethyl Aromatic Amides from Aromatic Aldehydes with Dimethylamine and Iodine Reagents

Various N,N-dimethyl aromatic amides were obtained in good to moderate yields by the reaction of aromatic aldehydes with aqueous dimethylamine in the presence of molecular iodine or 1,3-diiodo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (DIH) at room temperature. Under the same conditions and using the same procedure, treatment of aromatic aldehydes and morpholine in the presence of DIH also provided the corresponding N-aroyl morpholines in good to moderate yields.