Synthesis and structure of ethyl (Z)-α-formylamino-β-arylacrylates

Ethyl (Z)-α-formylamino-β-arylacrylates were obtained in good yields by the condensation of ethyl N, N-diformylamino acetate and aromatic aldehydes in the presence of sodium ethoxide in ethanol. The structure of ethyl α-formylaminocinnamate was characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction measurement.