Synlett 2004(8): 1334-1338  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-825607
LETTER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Synthesis of N,N-Dimethylpropanediamide and its Utility for the Preparation of 2-(Acetamidomethyl)-4-aryloxazoles

John A. Ragan*, Michael Burmaster, Paul D. Hill
Chemical Research & Development, Pfizer Global Research & Development, Groton, Connecticut, 06340, USA
Fax: +1(860)7159469; e-Mail: john_a_ragan@groton.pfizer.com;
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Publikationsverlauf

Received 9 February 2004
Publikationsdatum:
18. Mai 2004 (online)

Abstract

A practical, readily scaleable synthesis of N,N-dimethylpropanediamide (1) is reported. The utility of this bis-amide is d­emonstrated in the preparation of several 2,4-disubstituted oxazoles from α-bromoketones.

    References

  • 1 Hartner FW. In Comprehensive Heterocyclic Chemistry II   Vol. 3:  Katritzky AR. Rees CW. Scriven EFV. Pergamon; Oxford: 1996.  p.262-318  ; and references therein
  • 2a Friedman BS. Sparks M. Adams R. J. Am. Chem. Soc.  1937,  59:  2262 
  • 2b Panek JS. Beresis RT. J. Org. Chem.  1996,  61:  6496 
  • 2c Takechi H. Oda Y. Hishizono N. Oda K. Machida M. Chem. Pharm. Bull.  2000,  48:  1702 
  • 3a Gellman SH. Dado GP. Liang G.-B. Adams BR. J. Am. Chem. Soc.  1991,  113:  1164 
  • 3b

    Interestingly, both Beilstein and Sci-Finder searches for bis-amide 1 gave the preceding reference for its synthesis. We suspect that this was a typographical error upon entry in these databases, as there is no description of compound 1 in the Gellman paper. The Beilstein reference gives a reaction time of 63 h and 81% yield, values which are identical to the first experimental procedure in the paper, in which the mono-N,N-dimethylamide of malonic acid (3) is prepared en route to N,N,N′-trimethylpropanediamide.

  • 4 This effect has recently been noted in the esterification of carboxylic acids activated at the α-carbon with phosphonates, esters, sulfones, and nitriles. A mechanism proceeding through an acyl ketene was supported by trapping of the ketene with DCC in a [4+2] cycloaddition: Shelkov R. Nahmanh M. Melman A. J. Org. Chem.  2002,  67:  8975 
5

Intermediacy of a ketene is also supported by the following experiment: exposure of ethyl benzoate to the same reaction conditions (2 N Me2NH in MeOH) for several days showed no detectable formation of N,N-dimethylbenzamide by 1H NMR or GC/MS.

6

Actually, the opposite enantiomer of the other diastereomer would be formed. For example, in the condensation of the R-acid chloride with racemic amine, the products are amide 10 and (ent)-11. This has no impact on the achiral HPLC and NMR analyses, however.