One-pot synthesis of pyrrolidones from levulinic acid and amines/nitroarenes/nitriles over the Ir-PVP catalyst

The synthesis of pyrrolidones via reductive amination of levulinic acid with aniline was examined over polypyrrolidone-stabilized metal nanoparticle catalysts. Among them, Ir metal was the most effective and applicable for the reductive amination of levulinic acid with nitroarenes/nitriles. Importantly, this catalyst was used for the one-pot synthesis of the anti-inflammatory drug indoprofen from 2-formylbenzoic acid and 2-(4-nitrophenyl)propanoic acid.