An Improved Synthesis of β-Nicotyrine from the Dehydrogenation of Nicotine: Comparison of Conventional and Microwave-Assisted Reactions

Abstract β-Nicotyrine, a minor tobacco alkaloid, can be rapidly prepared in good yield from the dehydrogenation of S-(-)-nicotine over MnO2 with microwave irradiation. This method is superior to dehydrogenation reactions that utilize S-(-)-nicotine and MnO2 in a variety of solvents under reflux.