Phosphoric Acid → Aniracetam

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

10 g. of phosphorus pentoxide and 6 ml. of orthophosphoric acid (at least 85%) are warmed with one another. 2.0 g. of 4-(p-methoxybenzoylamino)butyric acid are added at room temperature to the resulting solution. The mixture is warmed to 50° C. for 60 minutes, subsequently treated with ice and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is washed first with cold water, then with cold sodium bicarbonate solution and finally again with water and dried over sodium sulfate. The residue is triturated with diethyl ether and there is obtained 1-(p-methoxybenzoyl)-2-pyrrolidinone having a melting point of 120°-122° C.

Provenance & Evidence