In the last decade, N-based heterocycles have surfaced as useful organocatalysts. With strong Lewis basicity, a rigid structure that allows for strong resonance, and electronic distribution, these catalysts become useful in both medicinal and industrial chemistry purposes. The desire to created new and unique cyclic guanidine catalysts has generated interest in this field. We proposed to synthesize cyclic guanidine catalysts through a short three step process: (1) alkylation of a commercial imidazoline, (2) annulations with the use of a β-aminocarboxylic acid under dehydrating conditions, and (3) thermal elimination. The first step, alkylation, was successfully completed. In step 2, the annulations reaction, there is evidence that it may have proceeded, but more research is needed to verify the result. As such, the final step of forming an organocatalyst, elimination, could not be completed. In the future, the reaction will be optimized to yield the desired product.
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