Bucherer-Lieb variation

The first improvement of the Bucherer-Bergs reaction was the Bucherer-Lieb variation using the diluted alcoholic solution as described at the end of section 7.2.2. The Bucherer-Lieb variation is possibly the most popular process for synthesizing hydantoins. Another notable variation is the Henze modification using fusing acetamide as the solvent in place of water, benzene or 50% alcohol. Recently, ultrasound-promoted hydantoin synthesis has been reported to accelerate the reaction. 

Many hydantoins are endowed with significant pharmacological activities as highlighted by 5,5-diphenylhydantoin (Dilantin ), an anticonvulsant and antiepileptic discovered by Parke-Davis in 1940 s. Despite the lapse of more than half a century, Dilantin still plays an important rote in modem medicine. Meanwhile, another anticonvulsant 15 was synthesized from 9,10-dimethoxy-l,3,4,6,7,llb-hexahydro-pyrido[2,l-a]isoquinolin-2-one (14) under the standard Bucherer-Lieb variation in a 2 1 water-ethanol solution (15a 15b = 8 l). ... 

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