Synlett 2004(14): 2630-2632  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-834836
LETTER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Synthesis of β-Amino Esters via Aza-Michael Addition of Amines to Alkenes Promoted on Silica: A Useful and Recyclable Surface

Basudeb Basu*, Pralay Das, Ismail Hossain
Department of Chemistry, North Bengal University, Darjeeling 734 430, India
Fax: +91(353)2581546; e-Mail: basu_nbu@indiatimes.com;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 30 April 2004
Publication Date:
20 October 2004 (online)

Abstract

A solvent-free protocol for the synthesis of β-amino ­esters and nitriles has been developed via conjugate addition of amines to electron-deficient alkenes promoted on silica. The silica surface may be recycled. Both aliphatic and aromatic primary or secondary amines worked efficiently to yield the desired adducts in good to excellent yields.

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General Procedure for the Aza-Michael Addition Reaction: A mixture of the amine (2 mmol) and alkene (5 mmol) was added to activated [by heating silica gel (10 g) at 120-130 °C for 10 min under vacuum (0.5 mm Hg) and then cooled under N2] silica (1 g; E. Merck; silica gel HF254 for TLC) and stirred at the appropriate temperature for several hours (see Table [1] ). TLC monitoring showed in most cases that the reaction was complete. The solid surface was then taken in MeOH, filtered off and the filtrate was concentrated to afford the crude products. Pure products were isolated by chromatography on a silica gel column eluting with various ratios of EtOAc to light petroleum. They were identified by IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectral data.

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Selected NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) Spectral Data for the Adducts:Entry 6: 1H NMR: δ = 0.98 (d, 12 H, J = 6.6 Hz), 1.24 (t, 3 H, J = 7.1 Hz), 2.38 (t, 2 H, J = 7.1 Hz), 2.75 (t, 2 H, J = 7.1 Hz), 2.99 (sep, 2 H, J = 6.6 Hz), 4.10 (q, 2 H, J = 7.1 Hz). 13C NMR: δ = 14.2, 20.6, 36.6, 41.1, 48.3, 60.0, 172.9.
Entry 9: 1H NMR: δ = 1.02-1.31 (m, 10 H), 1.60-1.77 (m, 10 H), 2.34 (t, 2 H, J = 7.1 Hz), 2.47-2.55 (m, 2 H), 2.87 (t, 2 H, J = 7.1 Hz). 13C NMR: δ = 20.6, 26.0, 32.1, 42.6, 58.3, 119.3.
Entry 10: 1H NMR: δ = 1.06-1.28 (m, 6 H), 1.26 (t, 6 H, J = 7.1 Hz), 1.59-1.78 (m, 4 H), 2.37-2.43 (m, 1 H), 2.41 (t, 4 H, J = 7.1 Hz), 2.79 (t, 4 H, J = 7.1 Hz), 4.11 (q, 4 H, J = 7.1 Hz). 13C NMR: δ = 14.2, 26.1, 26.2, 29.1, 34.8, 46.2, 60.2, 172.7.
Entry 13: 1H NMR: δ = 2.60 (t, 2 H, J = 6.5 Hz), 3.46 (t, 2 H, J = 6.5 Hz), 3.75 (s, 3 H), 6.60 (d, 2 H, J = 8.9 Hz), 6.80 (d, 2 H, J = 8.9 Hz). 13C NMR: δ = 18.1, 40.8, 55.7, 114.8, 115.0, 118.2, 140.0, 153.9.
Entry 18: 1H NMR: δ = 1.25 (t, 3 H, J = 7.1 Hz), 1.73 (t, 4 H, J = 5.8 Hz), 2.49 (t, 2 H J = 6.9 Hz), 2.55 (t, 4 H, J = 5.8 Hz), 2.72 (t, 2 H, J = 6.9 Hz), 3.94 (s, 4 H), 4.13 (q, 2 H, J = 7.1 Hz). 13C NMR: δ = 14.1, 32.5, 34.7, 50.9, 53.1, 60.3, 64.1, 106.9, 172.5.