Dimethylformamide → 3-(4-Nitrophenyl)propanamide

To a mixture of 3-(4-nitrophenyl)propionic acid (13.45 g), N,N-dimethylformamide (0.1 mL) and tetrahydrofuran (300 mL) was added dropwise oxalyl chloride (10.5 g) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hr. and concentrated. The obtained residue was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (50 mL) and added dropwise to a mixture of 25% aqueous ammonia (100 mL) and tetrahydrofuran (100 mL) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hrs. and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with saturated brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and concentrated to give 3-(4-nitrophenyl)propanamide as colorless crystals (11.80 g, yield 88%). Recrystallization thereof from ethyl acetate-hexane gave colorless prism crystals. melting point: 177-178° C.