A new procedure for preparation of carboxylic acid hydrazides

The standard method for preparing carboxylic acid hydrazides is hydrazinolysis of esters in alcoholic solutions. However, when applied to alpha,beta-unsaturated esters, the main product typically is the pyrazolidinone resulting from an undesired Michael-type cyclization. Other alternative methodologies reported for direct preparation of hydrazides from acids are inefficient. We developed an efficient and general process, involving preforming activated esters and/or amides followed by reaction with hydrazine, for the preparation of hydrazides including those of alpha,beta-unsaturated acids. This process gives the desired hydrazides in excellent yield and purity under mild conditions.