Direct N-acetyl enamine formation: lithium bromide mediated addition of methyllithium to nitriles.
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.
Savarin
Cécile G
CG
Department of Process Research, Merck Research Laboratories, Merck & Company, P.O. Box 2000, Rahway, NJ 07065, USA. cecile_savarin@merck.com
Boice
Geneviève N
GN
Murry
Jerry A
JA
Corley
Edward
E
DiMichele
Lisa
L
Hughes
Dave
D