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Microwave Irradiation <i>versus</i> Conventional Heating in the Synthesis of <i>N</i>-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone Catalyzed by Highly Active Copper Powder


ND Jumbam
L Phuthuma
R Ndebvu
T Ngarivhume

Abstract

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 formedfromthe exothermic reaction of γ-butyrolactone with aqueous methylamine undergoes an intramolecular condensation reaction catalyzed by highly active copper powder to formthe pyrrolidone in good yield.

Keywords: Copper catalyst, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, methylamine, γ-butyrolactone, one-pot synthesis, microwave irradiation


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eISSN: 1996-840X
print ISSN: 0379-4350