Ruthenium Catalyzed Reductive Transformation of Itaconic Acid and Ammonia Into 3- and 4-Methyl-pyrrolidone

Abstract

The reductive transformation of biogenic carboxylic acids and ammonia presents a promising route to access pyrrolidones as N-containing bio-based fine chemicals. Herein, we report the first approach to convert itaconic acid to N-unsubstituted pyrrolidones. The reaction was carried out in low amounts of water as solvent with hydrogen as reduction agent and ammonia as nitrogen source. A Ru/C catalyst was found to be highly active for this reaction. Furthermore, a coherent reaction network could be proposed. Catalyst recycling and variation of substrates demonstrate both the robustness and broad scope of the presented catalytic system.