In-Situ Nitrate Reduction for Deaminative Halogenation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing diazonium chemistry for aromatic and heteroaromatic amino compound functionalization is hazardous due to the instability and explosive nature of accumulated diazonium salts, leading to safety concerns and inefficient processes.

Innovation Solution

A process involving the in-situ reaction of aromatic or heteroaromatic amino compounds with nitrate compounds and sulfur oxygen reductants, such as alkali metal thiosulfate, in the presence of halogen sources, to produce fleeting aryldiazonium intermediates, thereby avoiding the accumulation of explosive diazonium salts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional diazonium salt synthesis and accumulation methods are used, then functionalization of aromatic amino compounds can be achieved, but safety hazards increase due to explosive nature of accumulated diazonium salts

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidexplosive hazard
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing the nitrate reduction step before diazonium salt accumulation, generating the reactive nitrosonium species in advance to drive the diazotization reaction forward, thereby preventing accumulation of explosive diazonium salts while maintaining reaction efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful explosive potential of diazonium salts into a benefit by using the in-situ generated nitrosonium from nitrate reduction to immediately react with the diazonium intermediate, driving the reaction to completion without accumulation, thus transforming a safety hazard into a controlled reactive process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If in-situ nitrate reduction is employed to generate nitrosonium, then diazonium salt accumulation is avoided, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediazonium accumulationVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the nitrate reduction step with the diazotization reaction in a single integrated process, where nitrate is reduced to nitrosonium which immediately reacts with the aromatic amine to form the diazonium salt, eliminating the need for separate preparation and handling steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses nitrosonium as a transient intermediary species generated in-situ from nitrate reduction, which mediates the conversion of aromatic amines to diazonium salts without requiring isolation or accumulation of the intermediate, simplifying the overall process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional diazonium batch processes are used, then established protocol simplicity is maintained, but unexpected detonations can occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol simplicityVSAvoiddetonation risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the inherent instability and detonation risk of diazonium salts into a benefit by designing a process where the diazonium intermediate is immediately consumed in a coupled reaction, transforming a safety hazard into a driving force for complete conversion without accumulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method safely and efficiently achieves deaminative halogenation of aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds by producing halogenated products in a single step, overcoming the limitations of traditional diazonium chemistry by minimizing exothermic decomposition and allowing higher yields and broader substrate compatibility.

Implementation Method 1

an (alkali metal or ammonium) nitrate or mixtures thereof and a sulfur oxygen compound as reductant such as an alkali metal thiosulfate or mixtures thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRedox reactions: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 2

Since the first report on aryldiazonium salt synthesis with nitrous acid, little has changed in their preparation. Nitrosonium (NO +

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiazotization reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

Sandmeyer used aryldiazonium salts 140 years ago to achieve the oxidative addition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNucleophilic substitution: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP4624456A1Process for the deaminative halogenation of an aromatic or heteroaromatic amino compound
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 STUDIENGES KOHLE MBH
  • EP4624456A1 patent drawingFigure 1~1C
  • EP4624456A1 patent drawingFigure 2~2D
  • EP4624456A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention refers to a process for the functionalization such as a deaminative halogenation of an aromatic or heteroaromatic amino compound. With the inventive process, the in-situ nitrate reduction allows the direct ipso-halogenation of anilines and aminoheterocycles via an aryldiazonium or heteroaryl diazonium salt as a fleeting intermediate in solution.