Synthesis and Reactivity of New β-Enamino Acid Derivatives: A Simple and General Approach to β-Enamino Esters and Thioesters

A new strategy has been developed for the synthesis of several β-enamino acid derivatives. N, N ‘-Carbonyldiimidazole has been used as C-acylating agent of methyl ketimines, providing a direct and simple route to new β-enamino carbonyl imidazole derivatives 2 . These derivatives 2 were cleanly and efficiently transformed into β-enamino esters 4 (X = O) and thioesters 4 (X = S) by reaction with a great variety of alcohols and thiols, including tertiary ones. Alternative and complementary routes to compounds 4 were also investigated. In addition, β-keto esters 6 have been obtained by mild acid hydrolysis of β-enamino esters 4 .