Ethyl Bromide → Butanoic acid, 2-ethyl-3-oxo-, methyl ester

Participants

Reaction Steps

465 g of methyl acetoacetate and then 458 g of ethyl bromide were added under nitrogen to 720 g of 30% sodium methylate solution in 1200 ml of methanol. The reaction mixture was subsequently boiled at reflux. After distillation of the methanol the residue was poured on to ice-water. It was then extracted with n-hexane and water. The organic phases were combined and dried. After evaporation of the solvent and distillation there were obtained 328 g (56.9%) of methyl 2-acetylbutyrate, b.p. 77°-79°/15 Torr.

Provenance & Evidence