Solid-phase synthesis of 3-aryl-3-oxo-propan amides by reaction of lithium enolates with 4-nitrophenyl carbamate resin or polymer-bound isocyanate

Two synthetic procedures to enable a straightforward and efficient solid-phase synthesis of 3-aryl-3-oxo-propan amides (β-keto amides) are described and compared. Lithium enolates, which can be obtained by deprotonation of methyl ketones with LiHMDS, are added to either an immobilized isocyanate or activated carbamate. After cleavage of the products from the solid support, various 3-aryl-3-oxo-propan amides are released in high yield and purity. The advantage of this method is that many of the commercially available methyl ketone building blocks can be used. The immobilized 3-aryl-3-oxo-propan amides generated may serve as intermediates for the preparation of structurally diverse libraries.