Itaconic acid → 1-Cyclohexyl-5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

Place 2-methylene-succinic acid (12.0 g, 92.2 mmol) and cyclohexylamine (9.15 g, 92.2 mmol) and heat to 160° C. for hours. Cool to give 18.8 g (96%) of 1-cyclohexyl-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid. Charge a flask with 1-cyclohexyl-5-oxo-pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (16.2 g, 76.7 mmol), add methylene chloride (20 mL) and cool to 0° C. Slowly add borane in THF (1M, 115.1 mL, 115.1 mmol) and stir for two hours at 0° C. Quench the reaction with ice and extract with methylene chloride. Dry over sodium sulfate, filter, and concentrate. Purify by silica gel (1-5% methanol in methylene chloride) to yield 9.9 g (65%) of the title compound: Mass spectrum (apci) m/z=198.1 (M+H).

Provenance & Evidence