Regioselective reactions of N1-alkyl-N2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethanediamide and acetylenic esters in the presence of tert-butyl isocyanide

The regioselective reactions of N¹-alkyl-N²-(4-nitrophenyl)ethanediamide with dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates in the presence of tert-butyl isocyanide lead to dialkyl 2-{[2-(alkylamino)-2-oxoacetyl]-4-nitroanilino}-3-[(tert-butylimino)methylene]succinates in good yields.