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