New Multicomponent Reaction for the Direct Synthesis of beta-Aryl-gamma-nitroesters Promoted by Hydrotalcite-Derived Mixed Oxides as Heterogeneous Catalyst

A new approach based on multicomponent/domino combined reactions for the synthesis of gamma-nitroesters promoted by a mixed aluminium-magnesium oxides derived from hydrotalcite-like material was developed. Different gamma-nitroesters were synthesized in 15-95% yield using Meldrum's acid, aromatic aldehydes, nitromethane and different alcohols as reagents and solvents. The gamma-aminobutyric acid derivatives, Phenibut and Baclofen, were prepared in 63 and 61% overall yield, respectively, through a two steps synthetic strategy. A mechanistic pathway was proposed based on the gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) experiments.