title: Direct N-acetyl enamine formation: lithium bromide mediated addition of methyllithium to nitriles.
abstract: An improved protocol for N-acetyl enamine formation is disclosed which involves LiBr-mediated addition of MeLi to substituted nitriles. The resulting enamides are isolated in high yields and excellent purity which permits subsequent hydrogenation at very low catalyst loading.
authors.affiliation: Department of Process Research, Merck Research Laboratories, Merck & Company, P.O. Box 2000, Rahway, NJ 07065, USA. cecile_savarin@merck.com
authors.forename: Cécile G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Savarin
authors.forename: Geneviève N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Boice
authors.forename: Jerry A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Murry
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Corley
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: DiMichele
authors.forename: Dave
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hughes