Ruthenium Catalyzed Reductive Transformation of Itaconic Acid and Ammonia Into 3‐ and 4‐Methyl‐pyrrolidone

Abstract The reductive transformation of biogenic carboxylic acids and ammonia presents a promising route to access pyrrolidones as N‐containing bio‐based fine chemicals. Herein, we report the first approach to convert itaconic acid to N‐unsubstituted pyrrolidones. The reaction was carried out in low amounts of water as solvent with hydrogen as reduction agent and ammonia as nitrogen source. A Ru/C catalyst was found to be highly active for this reaction. Furthermore, a coherent reaction network could be proposed. Catalyst recycling and variation of substrates demonstrate both the robustness and broad scope of the presented catalytic system.