A novel process for the preparation of (R)-2-acetamido-N-benzyl-3-methoxypropionamide (Lacosamide) is described. It comprises reacting N-acetyl-D-serine methyl ester with benzylamine catalyzed by a non-nucleophilic base to obtain (R)-2-acetamido-2-N-benzyl-3-hydroxy propionamide followed by its methylation.
The microwave-assisted ring expansion of N-acetyl 3'-unsubstituted aziridine-2-imides and N-acetyl 3'-unsubstituted aziridine 2-esters to oxazolines is reported. The regioselectivities of the rearrangements depend upon the reaction conditions, such as the Lewis acid selected and the solvent. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.