Formaldehyde → Ethyl 4-methyl-2-methylenepentanoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixture of 19 g (67.9 mmol) of ethyl 2-(diethoxyphosphinyl)-4-methylpentanoate, 27 ml (360.3 mmol) of formaldehyde and 28 g (202.6 mmol) of potassium carbonate is maintained at reflux for 3 hours. A mixture of water and diethyl ether is added. The aqueous phase is extracted with diethyl ether. The combined organic phases are washed with water, dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue is distilled under reduced pressure. 6.7 g of product are recovered in the form of an oil (yield=63.3%).

Provenance & Evidence