Abstract

JUMBAM, N.D.; PHUTHUMA, L.; NDEBVU, R.  and  NGARIVHUME, T.. Microwave irradiation versus conventional heating in the synthesis of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone catalyzed by highly active copper powder. S.Afr.j.chem. (Online) [online]. 2011, vol.64, pp.42-43. ISSN 1996-840X.

A convenient one-pot synthesis of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone is achieved either by conventional heating or microwave irradiation. The intermediate N-methyl-4-hydroxybutyramide formed from the exothermic reaction of 7-butyrolactone with aqueous methylamine undergoes an intramolecular condensation reaction catalyzed by highly active copper powder to form the pyrrolidone in good yield.

Keywords : Copper catalyst; N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone; methylamine; ϒ-butyrolactone; one-pot synthesis; microwave irradiation.

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