Synthesis
Example 38: General procedure for the synthesis of methyl 3-(methylamino)propionate: methyl acrylate (10 g, 116 mmol) was dissolved in methanol (20 mL) and the solution was cooled to -20 °C. Methylamine solution (2M, dissolved in tetrahydrofuran, 90mL, 180mmol) was added slowly through the addition funnel, keeping the reaction mixture stirred at -20°C for 2 hours. After completion of the reaction, the solvent was removed under vacuum. The residue was distilled under reduced pressure (45 °C, 5 Torr) to give methyl 3-(methylamino)propionate as a colorless liquid (3.5 g, 28% yield). The product was characterized by 1H NMR (CDCl3): δ 2.44 (s, 3H), 2.52 (t, 2H, J=6.31Hz), 2.86 (t, 2H, J=6.31Hz), 3.69 (s, 3H).
References
[1] Phosphorus, Sulfur and Silicon and Related Elements, 1998, vol. 134-135, p. 231 - 254
[2] Kinetics and Catalysis, 2010, vol. 51, # 5, p. 653 - 656
[3] Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 2013, vol. 11, # 12, p. 1929 - 1932
[4] Patent: WO2009/118292, 2009, A1. Location in patent: Page/Page column 74-75
[5] Monatshefte fuer Chemie, 1933, vol. 63, p. 224,230,234
