One-pot process to Z-α-benzoylamino-acrylic acid methyl esters via potassium phosphate-catalyzed Erlenmeyer reaction

A practical and efficient two reaction sequence one-pot process for the synthesis of Z-α-benzoylamino-acrylic acid methyl esters was developed. The process involves a potassium phosphate-catalyzed Erlenmeyer reaction of aromatic aldehydes with hippuric acid followed by an oxazolone ring-opening methanolysis. This process afforded a good overall yield and an excellent product quality via a simple workup.