Studies of nitriles. X. Synthesis and reactions of 2-acylamino-3,3-bis(substituted mercapto)acrylonitriles and their derivatives. A new synthesis of 2-substituted-5-(substituted mercapto)oxazole-4-carbonitriles and their derivatives.

Abstract

The reaction of 2-acylamino-3, 3-dichloroacrylonitriles (1) with various mercaptans in the presence of base gives 2-acylamino-3, 3-bis (substituted mercapto) acrylonitriles (5) or 2-acylamino-3-chloro-3-(substituted mercapto) acrylonitriles (17), each in good yield, depending upon the amount of mercaptans used. Similar nucleophilic substitutions are possible with the corresponding amides (8, 9), N-acylamides (10), esters (7), and acid (11). Treating the 3-mercapto acrylic acid derivatives thus obtained with silver compounds, such as Ag2O, Ag2CO3, and CH3COOAg, gives an excellent new method for synthesizing 5-(substituted mercapto) oxazoles (4). The scope and limitations of this new cyclization are also described.