Synthesis of β,γ-unsaturated primary amides from α,β-unsaturated acids and investigation of the mechanism

α,β-Unsaturated acids, through their acid chlorides, react with tritylamine in the presence of triethylamine under mild conditions, to afford in high yield and high regioselectivity the corresponding β,γ-unsaturated tritylamides. Detritylation with TFA generates quantitatively β,γ-unsaturated primary amides. An investigation of this deconjugative isomerization was performed.