Methyl 2-acetamidoacrylate
Methyl 2-acetamidoacrylate is the organic compound with the formula CH2=CCO2CH3. It is the methyl ester of an N-acetylacrylic acid, which in turn is a derivative of the unstable compound dehydroalanine. Acetylation of the amine in the latter compound prevents tautomerization. It is a white solid.
The compound can be prepared from methyl 2-acetamidopropionate, i.e. the methyl ester of N-acetylalanine. Methyl 2-acetamidoacrylate undergoes Michael reactions, e.g. by thiolates.
