Reaction of nonstabilized azomethine ylides with Mannich bases: an approach to 3-acylpyrrolidines

Mannich bases obtained from cycloalkanones and methyl-ketones decompose on heating to give α,β-enones, which react in situ with nonstabilized azomethine ylides formed from spiro[anthracene-oxazolidines]. The final products, 3-acylpyrrolidines, were obtained in yields of 21–79% by heating the starting compounds in a microwave reactor in o-xylene at 210°C for 45min