2,6-Lutidine is a natural heterocyclicaromaticorganic compound with the formula (CH3)2C5H3N. It is one of several dimethyl-substituted derivative of pyridine, all of which are referred to as lutidines. It is a colorless liquid with mildly basic properties and a pungent, noxious odor.
A laboratory route involves condensation of ethyl acetoacetate, formaldehyde, and an ammonia source to give a bis(carboxy ester) of a 2,6-dimethyl-1,4-dihydropyridine, which, after hydrolysis, undergoes decarboxylation.[3]
2,6-Lutidine has been evaluated for use as a food additive owing to its nutty aroma when present in solution at very low concentrations.
Due to the steric effects of the two methyl groups, 2,6-lutidine is less nucleophilic than pyridine. Protonation of lutidine gives lutidinium, [(CH3)2C5H3NH]+, salts of which are sometimes used as a weak acid because the conjugate base (2,6-lutidine) is so weakly coordinating. In a similar implementation, 2,6-lutidine is thus sometimes used in organic synthesis as a sterically hindered mild base.[4]
One of the most common uses for 2,6-lutidine is as a non-nucleophilic base in organic synthesis. It takes part in the formation of silyl ethers as shown in multiple studies.[5][6]
The biodegradation of pyridines proceeds via multiple pathways.[7] Although pyridine is an excellent source of carbon, nitrogen, and energy for certain microorganisms, methylation significantly retards degradation of the pyridine ring. In soil, 2,6-lutidine is significantly more resistant to microbiological degradation than any of the picoline isomers or 2,4-lutidine.[8] Estimated time for complete degradation was over 30 days.[9]
^Singer, Alvin; McElvain, S. M. (1934). "2,6-Dimethylpyridine". Organic Syntheses. 14: 30. doi:10.15227/orgsyn.014.0030.
^Prudhomme, Daniel R.; Park, Minnie; Wang, Zhiwei; Buck, Jason R.; Rizzo, Carmelo J. (2000). "Synthesis of 2′-Deoxyribonucleosides: Β-3′,5′-Di-o-benzoylthymidine". Org. Synth. 77: 162. doi:10.15227/orgsyn.077.0162.
^Corey, E. J.; Cho, H.; Rücker, C.; Hua, D. H. (1981). "Studies with trialkylsilyltriflates: new syntheses and applications". Tetrahedron Letters. 22 (36): 3455–3458. doi:10.1016/s0040-4039(01)81930-4.
^Franck, Xavier; Figadère, Bruno; Cavé, André (1995). "Mild deprotection of tert-butyl and tert-amyl ethers leading either to alcohols or to trialkylsilyl ethers". Tetrahedron Letters. 36 (5): 711–714. doi:10.1016/0040-4039(94)02340-H. ISSN0040-4039.
^Sims, G. K.; Sommers, L. E. (1986). "Biodegradation of Pyridine Derivatives in Soil Suspensions". Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 5 (6): 503–509. Bibcode:1986EnvTC...5..503S. doi:10.1002/etc.5620050601.