Sulfuric Acid → trimethylpyruvic acid N-acetylamide

Participants

Reaction Steps

First 25.6 g (0.25 mole) of acetic anhydride and then 27.8 g (0.25 mole) of pivaloyl cyanide were introduced, in each case at room temperature, into 49.0 g (0.5 mole) of concentrated sulphuric acid already in the reaction vessel. After subsequently stirring the reaction mixture for 4 hours, 150 g of ice-water were added and the mixture was stirred thoroughly. The reaction product which precipitated was filtered off, washed with 100 ml of water and dried. 37.0 g (86.5% of theory) of trimethylpyruvic acid N-acetylamide were obtained as colorless, glistening flakes of melting point 82° to 84° C.; content according to determination by gas chromatography: >99%. No additional purification operations were required for further reactions.

Provenance & Evidence