Enantiopure 2-substituted glyceraldehyde derivatives by aza-Claisen rearrangement or C-alkylation of enamines.

2-Alkyl derivatives of butane-2,3-diacetal (BDA) protected glyceraldehyde were stereoselectively prepared by aza-Claisen rearrangement of N-allyl-enammonium ions or C-alkylation of enamines. This allows rapid and convenient access to densely functionalized chiral building blocks.

Magnesium nitride as a convenient source of ammonia: preparation of dihydropyridines.

Magnesium nitride (Mg 3N 2) has been investigated for the preparation of dihydropyridines. This is a commercially available, bench-stable solid that generates ammonia upon treatment with protic solvents. The main features of the process are the facile reaction setup and good yields obtained in the majority of cases.

Magnesium nitride as a convenient source of ammonia: preparation of primary amides.

The use of magnesium nitride (Mg 3N 2) as a convenient source of ammonia has been explored for the direct transformation of esters to primary amides. Methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, and tert-butyl esters are converted to the corresponding carboxamides in good yields (75-99%).