Microwave‐Assisted Direct Synthesis and Polymerization of Chiral Acrylamide

Summary: Chiral ( R )‐ N ‐(1‐phenylethyl)‐acrylamide ( 3 ) was synthesized directly from acrylic acid ( 1 ) and ( R )‐1‐phenylethylamine ( 2 ) via microwave irradiation without any further activation and in a solvent‐free medium. The kinetic measurements performed show high selectivity and conversion to the amide after only few minutes of reaction time. It was possible to obtain optically active polymers containing both acrylamide and imide structural units in a one‐pot reaction starting from acrylic acid ( 1 ), amine ( 2 ) and AIBN as a free radical initiator. The same reactions were evaluated by classical thermal heating in an oil bath and the results are compared. The condensation reaction between acrylic acid and ( R )‐1‐phenylethylamine by MW irradiation in the presence and absence of AIBN as a free radical initiator. magnified image The condensation reaction between acrylic acid and ( R )‐1‐phenylethylamine by MW irradiation in the presence and absence of AIBN as a free radical initiator.