The Reaction of N-Oxide with Ethyl Bromoacetate

The reaction of 4-methoxypyridine 1-oxide with ethyl bromoacetate was found to produce a high yield of ethyl glyoxylate, trimethylamine N-oxide and pyridine 1-oxide also afforded the glyoxylate but in lower yield in the reaction, and 4-nitropyridine 1-oxide was found to be inactive with bromoacetate. Pyridine 1-oxide and trimethylamine N-oxide exhibit the same stoichiometry, while 4-methoxypyridine 1-oxide follows a different course.