Cumene → (S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxypyrrolidine-2,5-dione

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixture of 50.0 g (0.373 mole) (S)-malic acid (Ia), 41 ml (0.373 mole) benzyl amine and 250 ml cumene was heated with an internal temperature of 155° C. for 2.5 h on a water separator, during which time 12 ml water were separated. An oily phase formed during cooling off which slowly crystallized. The cumene was decanted off thereafter and the residue crystallized out of 220 ml EtOH. 30.3 g (39.6%) (S)-1-benzyl-3-hydroxy-2,5-pyrrolidinedione (IIa) were isolated in the form of colorless crystals.

Provenance & Evidence