Methanol → Ethyl 4-oxobutanoate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A solution of ethyl 4-octenoate (34 mL, 173 mmol) in methanol (240 mL) was placed in a 3-neck round bottomed flask and cooled at −60° C., and then O3/O2 was bubbled through the reaction mixture. After 4 hours at ca. −60° C., the reaction mixture had a slight blue tint, and TLC (1:9 ethyl acetate:hexane, stained in phosphomolybdic acid (PMA)) showed no starting material remaining. The reaction mixture was then flushed with O2 for 10 minutes. To the above reaction mixture was added slowly dimethyl sulfide (26 mL, 345 mmol) while maintaining the reaction temperature below −55° C. After the addition was complete, the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred overnight. Argon was then bubbled through for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was then concentrated in vacuo. Low pressure fractional distillation afforded 4-oxo-butyric acid ethyl ester (14.3 g, 63%, contained a small amount of dimethyl sulfoxide) as a clear, colorless oil. Alternatively, purification can be accomplished using silica gel chromatography (100% hexanes-20% ethyl acetate in hexane). 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ ppm 9.81 (s, 1 H), 4.14 (q, J=7.2 Hz, 2 H), 2.79 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 2 H), 2.62 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 2 H), 1.26 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 3 H).

Provenance & Evidence