Date of Award
2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Department
Biochemistry & Molecular Biol.
First Advisor
Dr. C. Wade Downey
Abstract
The combination of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf) and Et3N promotes the N-allylation of 4-methoxyacetanilide 2 with unsymmetrical propionates 1 (eq 1). The amide substrate is believed to undergo conversion to a nucleophilic silyl imidate in the presence of TMSOTf and the amine base, which concurrently promotes carbocation formation in the same flask through the loss of trimethylsilyl propionate, leading to N-allylation of the amide. A range of unsymmetrical propionates, accessed by varying the R and R’ substituents, react efficiently in this one-pot process with yields ranging from 44% to 99%, affording regioselective ratios of up to >20:1 through formation of regioisomers 3A and 3B.
Recommended Citation
Graff, Remi, "N-Allylation of Secondary Amides with Unsymmetrical Propionates" (2026). Honors Theses. 1911.
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/honors-theses/1911
