The Bernthsen acridine synthesis is the chemical reaction of a diarylamine heated with a carboxylic acid (or acid anhydride) and zinc chloride to form a 9-substituted acridine.
Using zinc chloride, one must heat the reaction to 200-270 °C for 24hrs. The use of polyphosphoric acid will give acridine products at a lower temperature, but also with decreased yields.
References
- Bernthsen, A.; Ann. 1878, 192, 1.
- Bernthsen, A.; Ann. 1884, 224, 1.
- Popp, F. D. J. Org. Chem. 1962, 27, 2658. (doi:10.1021/jo01054a518)