The reactions of 4-phenyl and 4-(p-tolyl)-4-oxobutanoic acids with 1,3-diaminopropane, 1,4-diaminobutane, 1,5-diaminopentane by heating in an aprotic non-polar solvent initially proceed through a nucleophilic attack of the amino group on the carbon atom of the oxoacid carbonyl group to form the corresponding amide.
