Convenient Synthesis of Acrylanilides via K 2 CO 3 ‐Mediated Deacylative Olefination of Acetoacetanilides

ABSTRACT A new and stereoselective E‐olefination strategy has been developed utilizing potassium carbonate (K 2 CO 3 ) as a mild and environmentally benign base. This protocol enables the transformation of β‐ketoamides and aldehydes into the valuable acrylanilides through an acyl bond cleavage. The process involves initial enolate formation, followed by an aldol‐type addition that proceeds through deacetylation to generate the desired C═C bond with elimination of byproduct. This metal‐free, and mild base‐promoted protocol provides a wide substrate scope with stereoselectivity and good to excellent yields, demonstrating a synthetically valuable route for acrylanilides synthesis and thereby for accessing several active pharmaceutical ingredients with potential acceleration in drug discovery efforts, having minimized ecological impact.