Microwave-mediated reductive amination-cyclization of 4-aryl-4- oxobutanoates: Facile synthesis of 3-methylidene-5-phenyl-2,3- V

Microwave-mediated three-component condensation of 4-aryl-4-oxobutanoates with ammonium formate furnishes 3-methylidene-5-phenyl-2,3-dihydropyrrolidones in good yield within 2 min. The pyrrolidone products were characterized on the basis of spectral data and X-ray crystal structure analysis. The reaction is found to be general and a variation in the ester and aryl moieties is possible. However, when alkylammonium formate is used only amide products are formed.