Ritter reaction synthetic utility

The synthetic utility of the Ritter reaction is evident from surveying the literature. An early example of the Ritter reaction is found in the synthesis of in vivo metabolites of the drug mephentermine (equation... 

Hydroxyl groups also participate as nucleophiles in a variety of other acid-catalyzed cyclizations of synthetic utility. One example is the Ritter reaction, which normally produces amides upon reaction of olefins or alcohols with nitriles. Cyclization occurs with 1,3-diols, hydroxy alkenes, or epoxides. Examples of each are given in Eqs. (74)-(76). 

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