Reaction of dimethyl imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylate with styrene oxide
Abstract
The reaction between the potassium salt of dimethyl imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylate and styrene oxide is shown to produce 4-methoxycarbonyl-1-styrylimidazole-5-carboxylic acid or methyl 5,6-dihydro-8-oxo-6-phenyl-8H-imidazo[5,1-c][1,4]oxazin-1-carboxylate. The subsequent cleavage of this lactone and the use of styrene [18O]oxide indicate the intermediacy of the lactone in the formation of the styryl acid.