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Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Facile Preparation of (2Z,4E)-Dienamides by the Olefination of Electron-deficient Alkenes with Allyl Acetate
Published on: June 21, 2017
One-step RhCl3-catalyzed deprotection of acyclic N-allyl amides
1Department of Process Research, Merck Research Laboratory, Rahway, NJ 07065, USA. michael_zacuto@merck.com
Abstract:
A convenient one-step RhCl3-catalyzed deprotection of acyclic N-allyl amides is described. Preliminary mechanistic studies reveal that the key to the success of the one-step deprotection process is the dual function of RhCl3 in alcohol solvents. Reaction of RhCl3 with n-PrOH not only provides an active rhodium hydride species to catalyze isomerization of N-allyl amides to corresponding enamides but also generates a crucial catalytic amount of HCl to convert the enamides to deallylated amides through N,O-acetal exchange.
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