A novel reagent combination for the oxidation of highly electron deficient pyridines to N-oxides: trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride/sodium percarbonate

A novel reagent combination, Tf2O/Na2CO3·1.5H2O2, has been developed for the oxidation of highly electron deficient pyridines to their corresponding N-oxides. The N-oxidation reaction, utilizing the in situ generated peracid, proceeds under mild conditions that allow for a number of functional groups and substitution patterns on the pyridine ring.