l-Ascorbic acid in organic synthesis: DBU-catalysed one-pot synthesis of tetramic acid derivatives from 5,6-O-isopropylidene ascorbic acid

Reaction of 5,6-O-isopropylidene-2,3-bis-O-alkyl ascorbic acid with different amines in the presence of DBU at ambient temperature resulted in the formation of 3,4-bis-O-alkyl-1-alkyl-5-(2-hydroxy ethyl)-5-hydroxy-1,5-dihydropyrrol-2-ones in moderate yields.