Beckmann reaction addition reactions

In addition to the Beckmann reaction, the Schmidt rearrangement is used to generate M-alkylated lactams, too. Alkyl azides 231 react with the cyclic ketones (and aldehydes) in the presence of proton or Lewis acids. On running the inter-molecular reactions, in most cases symmetric ketals 230 have been converted... 

The main intermediate of the rearrangement may be a nitrilium ion (225) in some cases or an imidate (226) in others. The resulting intermediate reacts with water to produce the amide (218) after tautomerization. If other nucleophiles (Nu ) are present, they can intercept the reactive intermediates (both inter- or intra-molecularly) and several different imino-substituted derivatives (227) can be formed. These rearrangement-addition reactions will be analysed later in this chapter as they can effectively broaden the scope of the Beckmann rearrangement reaction (Sections VI.D.2 and VI.E.2). 

The intermediate may be trapped by other nucleophiles (different from water) and diverse products may be obtained. The interception of the intermediate may occur inter- or intra-moleculary, the latter providing a helpful tool to produce a new ring system (Scheme 9, pathway 2). These reactions are sometimes referred to, respectively, as Beckmann rearrangement-addition and Beckmann rearrangement-cyclization reactions. 

R. E. Gawley, The Beckmann reactions Rearrangements, elimination-additions, fragmentations, and rearrangement-cyclizations , in Organic Reactions, Vol. 35 (Ed. A. S. Kende), Wdey-Intersdence, London, 1988, pp. 1-415. 

R. E. Gawley, The Beckmann Reactions Rearrangements, Elimination-Additions, Fragmentations, and Rearrangement-Cyclizations, Org. React. 1988, 35, 1-420. 

The Beckmann Reactions Rearrangements, Elimination-Additions, Fragmentations, and Rearrangement-Cydizations... 

Iminium halides are intermediates in the hydrolysis of nitriles and in a variety of chemical reactions. For example, in the Ritter reaction addition of a nitrile or hydrogen cyanide to a carbonium ion occurs, leading to the intermediate formation of a nitrilium salt. Nitrilium salt intermediates have also been postulated in the Schmidt reaction and in the Beckmann rearrangement, provided the latter was performed in concentrated sulfuric acid. However, since we are predominantly concerned with imidoyl halides, these reactions are not discussed in this monograph. 

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