Efficient one-pot formation of 4-N-substituted 2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazolin-3-ones from primary amines using N′-(ethoxymethylene)hydrazinecarboxylic acid methyl ester

(E)-N′-(Ethoxymethylene)hydrazinecarboxylic acid methyl ester was synthesized in one step in good yield. This reagent was successfully applied to the one-pot synthesis of 4-substituted 2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazolin-3-ones from readily available primary alkyl and aryl amines. This reaction process is relatively mild and easy to carry out. It is especially useful for the formation of sterically hindered triazolinones, which are otherwise difficult to obtain via existing literature procedures. A possible mechanistic pathway for the transformation is outlined.