Ring Opening of a Fatty Epoxide by Diethylacetamido Malonate in Basic Medium by Phase Transfer Catalysis or Under Microwave Irradiation

Abstract

A fatty epoxide (tetradecyl-oxirane) is reacted with diethyl acetamidomalonate in basic medium, with or without solvent under solid-liquid phase transfer catalysis with LiCl, or under microwave irradiation on supported reagents (KF/Al₂O₃/LiCl). The main product is a lactone which is formed after epoxide ring opening and subsequent cyclisation. We put here into evidence, for the first time, the conjugated advantages of “dry media” reactions, lithium salt effects and microwave irradiation.