Dehydrogenative cyclization of N-acyl dipeptide esters for the synthesis of imidazolidin-4-ones

Abstract

A dehydrogenative cyclization reaction for the synthesis of imidazolidin-4-ones was developed under mild conditions. Using tert-butyl hydroperoxide as oxidant and potassium iodide as catalyst, N-acyl dipeptide esters were converted to imidazolidin-4-ones in an atom-economical intramolecular C–N bond formation process in good yields.