Investigation of lactams.
Abstractα-Substituted lactams, including the syn (IIa, b) and anti (IIIa, b) isomers ofα-oxo- and N-methyl-α-oxocaprolactam phenylhydrazones, were synthesized by reaction of enamines ofα-oxolactams (I) with hydrazine, phenyl- and 4-pyrimidylhydrazines, thiosemicarbazide, and hydroxylamine. A new synthesis ofα-aminocaprolactam was accomplished by hydrogenation of enamine Ia over Raney nickel in an alcohol solution of ammonia.