4-Aminopyridine Catalyzed Direct and Regioselective Acylation of N-Tosylhydrazide

An efficient and simple method for selective acylation of either one of two nitrogen atoms of tosylhydrazide was developed. The selectivity was drastically controlled by a catalytic amount of 4-aminopyridine or 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine with common acylating agents. The nitrogen atom masked with a tosyl group was acylated in the presence of 4-aminopyridine, whereas the primary nitrogen atom was acylated in the absence of 4-aminopyridine.