Diethyl isopentylmalonate → (3-Methylbutyl)propanedioic acid

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Reaction Steps

Diethyl isoamylmalonate (71.7 g) was added to a 50% aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide (60 ml), and the mixture was heated under reflux for 6 h. After cooling, the mixture was extracted with ether; the water layer was acidified with hydrochloric acid and, after saturation with sodium chloride, was extracted with ether. The extracts from the acidic aqueous layer were concentrated under reduced pressure to give isoamylmalonic acid. The obtained dicaboxylic acid was heated at 180° C. for 2 h. After distillation under reduced pressure, 5-methyl-caproic acid was obtained. Yield: 30 g (75%), b.p. 107-108° C./11 mmHg.

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