Synthesis and isolation of epoxy secondary amidesvia direct amidation ofVernonia galamensis seed oil

Vernonia galamensis oil, containing naturally epoxidized triglycerides, was reacted withn-butylamine,n-pentylamine andn-hexylamine to afford high yields of epoxidized secondary amides. Three reaction conditions were investigated: (i) reflux with amines as solvents, (ii) reflux with hexane as the solvent and (iii) room temperature with the amines as solvents. Reactions with amines as refluxing solvents were completed in 1–5 h, while those with hexane went to completion within 2 to 5 d. Room temperature reactions were onlyca. 80% complete after several days. Reactivity was increased with higher amine homologs at both reflux and room temperature reaction conditions. Isolated yields of epoxy-containing amides were about 80% with purity exceeding 96% in all cases. Spectroscopic characterization of the previously unreported alkyl-vernolamides is provided.