Synthesis of meta-substituted anilines via a three-component reaction of acetone, amines, and 1,3-diketones.

A facile method for the synthesis of meta-substituted arylamines from acyclic precursors was developed. This method is based on three-component cyclo-condensation/aromatization of in situ generated imines of acetone with 1,3-diketones either under conventional heating or under microwave irradiation. The utility of this methodology is illustrated by the possibility of a gram scale synthesis of various anilines from readily available reagents.