Ethyl orthoformate → (2Z)-2-(Ethoxymethylene)-3-oxobutanenitrile

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

Into a round-bottom flask, which was purged and maintained with an inert atmosphere of nitrogen, was placed a solution of 3-oxobutanenitrile (compound 257.1, 16.0 g, 193 mmol) in acetic anhydride (48 mL). Triethyl orthoformate (96 mL, 577 mmol) was added and the reaction was stirred for 2 h at 130° C., then concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain the title compound as a red solid (10 g, 37%).

Provenance & Evidence