Synthesis of Highly Substituted 3‑Pyrrolin-2-ones from <i>N,N</i>-Disubstituted α‑Amino Acids

Highly functionalized 5-membered <i>N</i>-heterocyclic compounds, 4-aryl-3-chloro-5-methoxy-1-methyl-3-pyrrolin-2-ones, have been synthesized in moderate to high yields by the reaction of <i>N,N</i>-dimethylated aromatic α-amino acids with oxalyl chloride, followed by solvolysis with MeOH. The products possess a number of functional groups such as an amide, a mixed amido/alkoxy acetal, a vinyl halide, and an alkene and thus are promising candidates to be used as starting materials for the synthesis of diverse five-membered <i>N</i>-heterocyclic compounds