Microwave-assisted synthesis of the ligands N,N-bis-(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (BMPA), N-(methylpropanoate)-N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (MPBMPA), N-(propanamide)-N,N-bis-(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (PABMPA), PNBMPA (N-(3-propio-nitrile)-N,N-bis-(2-pyridylmethyl)amine), N-(3-aminopropyl)-N,N-bis-(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (APBMPA), and lithium N-(propono-ate) -N, N-bis-(2-pyridylmethyl) amine (LiPBMPA) are reported. High yields and short reaction time were obtained for condensation and Michael addition. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.