Reaction conditions investigation of the Mannich/lactamization process.

Entry	Nucleophile	Base (1 eq.)	Time (h)	T (°C)	Solvent	Yielda (%)
1	CH3NO2	K2CO3	96	rt	CH3CN	—
2	CH3NO2	—	48	rt	—	Complex mixture
3	CH3NO2	—	18	50	—	6a, 80
4	CH3NO2	—	20	50	—	6a, 99
5	DMM	—	17	50	—	7a, 80
6	Malononitrile	—	17	50	—	Complex mixture
7	Acetylacetone	—	24	50	—	Complex mixture
8	Acetophenone	—	24	50	—	No reaction

^aIsolated yields by chromatography.