Eco-friendly, catalyst and solvent-free, synthesis of acetanilides and N-benzothiazole-2-yl-acetamides

Abstract

An expeditious and green synthesis of acetamides in a solvent-free simple way is described, without catalyst or additives, and in good yield by an instantaneous reaction of anilines or 2-aminothiazoles and acetic anhydride without external heating, and with simple purification. Sixteen substituted acetanilides and four N-benzothiazole-2-yl-acetamides were formed, but aliphatic amines of low molecular weight were not as effective as aromatic ones, and only cyclohexylamine and the enaminone ethyl 3-amino-2-butenoate afforded the corresponding acetamides in good yield.