Methyl 2-acetamidoacrylate is the organic compound with the formula CH<sub>2</sub>=C(NHC(O)CH<sub>3</sub>)CO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>. It is the methyl ester of an N-acetylacrylic acid, which in turn is a derivative of the unstable compound dehydroalanine. Acetylation of the amine in the latter compound prevents tautomerization. It is a white solid.
The compound can be prepared from methyl 2-acetamidopropionate (CH<sub>3</sub>CH(NHC(O)CH<sub>3</sub>)CO<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>3</sub>), i.e. the methyl ester of N-acetylalanine. Methyl 2-acetamidoacrylate undergoes Michael reactions, e.g. by thiolates.
N-Acetamidoacrylic acid (registry number 5429-56-1) is the carboxylic acid parent of methyl 2-acetamidoacrylate. The free acid is a popular substrate for asymmetric hydrogenation.