Abstract
It is known that hydantoin derivative can be synthesized according to the method of Bucherer-Bergs, which employs the interaction of the carbonyl compounds with potassium cyanide and ammonium carbonate in dilute alcohol solution. In a converting study of .alpha.-dietylaminoacetophenone with KCN and ($NH_{4})_{2}CO_{3}$ to hydantoin, the attempted 5-diethylaminomethyl-5-phenylhydantoin was not formed. In this reaction diethylaminomethly group was unexpectedly eliminated and 5-phenylhydantoin was obtained, instead of the anticipated compound.