Potassium Hydroxide → 2-(2-Benzyloxyethyl) malonic acid mono tert-butyl ester

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Reaction Steps

To a solution of 2-(2-benzyloxyethyl) malonic acid tert-butyl ester ethyl ester (31.3 g, 97.1 mmol) in water (50 mL) and dioxane (200 mL) was added potassium hydroxide (6.6 g, 0.118 mole) while cooling in an ice bath. The mixture was then stirred at room temperature overnight. The solvents were evaporated under vacuum to leave a clear oil which was dissolved in water. The solution was washed with ether and then acidified to pH 3 using 6N hydrogen chloride (HCl) solution. The mixture was extracted twice with ether; the extracts were combined, washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) and concentrated under vacuum to leave 2-(2-benzyloxyethyl) malonic acid mono tert-butyl ester as a clear oil, 23.9 g (84%).

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