abstract |
Substituted lactams of the formula <IMAGE> (I) can be prepared from lactam N-carboxylates or lactim O-carboxylates of the formulae <IMAGE> (II) or <IMAGE> (III) by thermal or mixed thermal and catalysed CO2 elimination at 80 DEG -450 DEG C. Lactams substituted on the N atom by aliphatic groups such as those produced herein are useful as industrial aprotic solvents. |