The Preparation of Lidocaine

In this experiment, which is intended for the introductory organic laboratory, the widely used local anesthetic Lidocaine is synthesized in two steps from 2,6-dimethylaniline. In the first step, the amine is acylated with chloroacetyl chloride. In the second step, the amide is subjected to nucleophilic substitution by diethylamine to give the final product with an overall yield of 71% based on 2,6-dimethylaniline. I have used this experiment in my organic class for several years with excellent results. Average students can isolate the crude product in less than three hours.