Oxidation of Amines into Nitro Compounds

Primary and secondary alkyl amines remain uneffected under above conditions. Aromatic amines containing a carboxylic or alcoholic groups can be oxidised 

It is of interest to note that aminopyridine N-oxides are obtained under acidic conditions in organic solvent and usually requires protection of the amino group by acetylation and final deprotection. It has now been possible to obtain N-oxide in good yield fi-om aminopyridine directly by using oxone in water under neutral or basic conditions at room temperature. The selectivity of the reaction depends on the position of the amino group. 

---