A new multicomponent reaction for direct synthesis of primary γ-nitroamides

A new multicomponent reaction for direct synthesis of gamma-nitroamides promoted by ammonium carbonate was developed. A series of g-nitroamides were synthesized in 35-93% yield from Meldrum's acid, aromatic or aliphatic aldehydes, nitromethane and ammonium carbonate. A mechanistic pathway was proposed based on electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI/MS) experiments.