Synthesis of N-acyl-2-pyrrolidinones from the corresponding N-acyl-GABA derivatives

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/jhet.5570330372

In this work, the synthesis of 1-(pyridine-3-carbonyl)pyrrolidin-2-one (1a) and 1-(2-propyl-1-pentanoyl)pyrrolidin-2-one (1b) by cyclization of the corresponding GABA derivatives, is reported. Two different methods are developed. For the synthesis of 1a, the parent molecule 4-[(pyridine-3-carbonyl)-amino]butanoic acid (2a) is treated first with thionyl chloride and then with triethylamine. The second derivative, 1b, is produced by an intramolecular dehydration of 4-(2-propylpentanoylamino)butanoic acid (2b) using an acid catalyst.