Ammonia → (3-(3,4-Dimethylphenyl)-5-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)acetic acid ethyl ester

Participants

Reaction Steps

Combine 3-cyano-3-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)pentanedioic acid diethyl ester (56 g, 177 mmol) and ethanol (500 mL) in a Parr bottle. Add Raney nickel (50 g) and an aqueous concentrated ammonia solution (85 mL). Hydrogenate at 50° C. and 100 psi for 48 h. Filter through a celite pad and rinse the solids with ethanol. Evaporate the filtrate in vacuo to obtain a residue. Chromatograph the residue on silica gel eluting with 6% methanol/dichloromethane to give the title compound.

Provenance & Evidence