Abstract: The hydrolysis reactions of a series of esters of a-acetamidocinnamic acid proceed with formation of an oxazolinone intermediate. In 50% dioxane-H20 (v/v) at 50" C, an oxazolinone can be observed spectrophotometrically in the OH--catalyzed cyclization reactions of the a-acetamido-substituted esters with leaving groups of pKa 12.4 or less. In comparison with the OH--catalyzed hydrolysis of the corresponding cinnamate esters, the ...
