Methyl 2-acetamidoacrylate is the organic compound with the formula CH2=C(NHC(O)CH3)CO2CH3. It is the methyl ester of an N-acetylacrylic acid, which in turn is a derivative of the unstable compound dehydroalanine. Acetylation of the amine in the latter compound prevents tautomerization. It is a white solid.
The compound can be prepared from methyl 2-acetamidopropionate (CH3CH(NHC(O)CH3)CO2CH3), i.e. the methyl ester of N-acetylalanine.[1] Methyl 2-acetamidoacrylate undergoes Michael reactions, e.g. by thiolates.[2]
References
^Kolar, A. J.; Olsen, R. K. (1977). "A Convenient, Large-Scale Preparation of 2-Acetamidoacrylic Acid and Its Methyl Ester". Synthesis. 1977 (7): 457–9. doi:10.1055/s-1977-24439. S2CID96352441.