1-Methyl-4-piperidone


1-Methyl-4-piperidone is a clear dark yellow liquid organic compound with molecular formula. It is the N-methyl substituted variant of 4-piperidone.

Applications

It is used as a building block for a variety of pharmaceuticals including:

Synthesis

The first synthesis of 1-methyl-4-piperidone was reported by Samuel M. McElvain in 1948. The method involves double Michael reaction between methylamine and two equivalents of ethyl acrylate, a Dieckmann cyclization, saponification and decarboxylation.
Another synthesis uses methylamine, formaldehyde and the ethyl ester of acetonedicarboxylic acid.
A third synthesis consists of the ring closing of 1,5-dichloro-3-pentanone with methylamine.