Acetic Anhydride → Methyl 2-(methoxymethylidene)-3-oxopentanoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixture of methyl propionylacetate (112.2 g, 0.86 mol), trimethyl orthoformate (188 ml, 1.72 mol) and acetic anhydride (81 ml, 0.86 mol) was heated at reflux for 17 hours, then the volatile material removed in vacuo, finally at 70°/0.3 mm. The residue was predominantly methyl 2-propanoyl-3-methoxyacrylate, and was used without further purification.

Provenance & Evidence