Beckmann rearrangement, relation Schmidt reaction

The chemistry of such bridged naphthalenes-benzomorphans and some related compounds has been reviewed previously.<1 3) The first synthesis of a benzomorphan was achieved by Barltrop(4) however, prior to that synthesis, Schopf,(5) in his investigations of the structure of morphine, had isolated the benzomorphan, 2, from a thionyl chloride-induced, second-order Beckmann rearrangement of dihydrocodeinone oxime, 1. Reinvestigation(5a,5b) of the Beckmann rearrangement and a study of the Schmidt reaction of 6-oxomor-phinans confirmed Schopf s work and led to the isolation of the anticipated lactam (2a). 

Into this group fall the named oxidation rearrangement reactions which proceed with carbon-carbon bond cleavage and 1,2-transfer of an alkyl group to a heteroatom, such as the Baeyer-Villiger reaction (discussed in Chapter 5.1, this volume) and the Beckmann reaction (found in Chapter 5.2, this volume) of ketones, as well as the Hofmann reaction/Schmidt reaction/Curtius reanangement of carboxylic acid derivatives. The two examples discussed here involve related reactions of alcohols. 

The Schmidt reaction of carboxylic acids with hydrazoic acid has the advantage over Curtius rearrangement that it is only one step from the acid to the amine, but the conditions are more drastic (usually sulphuric acid plus sodium azide). Under these harsh conditions, the isocyanate intermediate is rarely isolated. For these reasons, the Curtius rearrangement is frequently employed to convert acids to amines. The Schmidt reaction of ketones with hydrazoic acid is a powerful method for the synthesis of amides and lactams. TTiis process is somewhat related to the Beckmann rearrangement of oximes however, the Schmidt reaction is more succinct, allowing the conversion of ketones to amides in a single operation. Considering its widespread... 

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