NaOH promoted hydrolysis of α-oxo ketene-N, S-acetals: Effective synthesis of β-keto amides

An effective and novel synthesis of β-keto amides had been developed by NaOH promoted hydrolysis of α-oxo ketene-N, S-acetals. It was found that the hydrolysis of α-oxo ketene-N, S-acetals in the presence of 2 equivalent of NaOH in refluxing EtOH (95%) gave β-keto amides in excellent yields. The uses of toxic and harmful amines as well as the prepurification of these nucleophilic reagents were not required in the hydrolysis reaction. The method can extend to gram scale.