A Novel and Efficient Synthesis of Imidates and the Application Thereof to the Mild Cleavage of Lactams

Abstract

The synthesis of benzyl imidates 4–6 starting from diastereomerically pure 3-morpholinones 1–3 by a new, acid catalyzed imidate transfer reaction is described. 4–6 can be cleaved in excellent yields to the corresponding acyclic benzyl esters 7–9 under very mild conditions without any detectable racemisation.