Methyl acetoacetate → sodium (2E)-4-methoxy4-oxo-2-buten-2-olate

Participants

Reaction Steps

60 g of a 30% strength sodium hydride suspension in mineral oil (744 mmol of NaH) are suspended in 250 ml of dry THF in an inert gas atmosphere. 86.4 g (744 mmol) of methyl acetoacetate in 200 ml of THF are slowly added dropwise, the resulting hydrogen being led directly into the waste air. After dropwise addition has taken place, the mixture is stirred at reflux for half an hour and then cooled. The solvent is stripped off in vacuo and the residual solid is washed with diethyl ether.

Provenance & Evidence