Diethyl Oxalate → Ethyl 4-(3-ethoxy-2,3-dioxopropyl)-3-nitrobenzoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of ethyl 4-methyl-3-nitrobenzoate (80 g, 0.38 mol) and oxalic acid diethyl ester (57 mL, 0.42 mol) in ethanol (1000 mL) is added sodium ethoxide (430 mL, 1.15 mol, 21% in ethanol). The resulting brown solution is stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The reaction is quenched with 3N HCl to neutral pH and diluted with water (2000 mL). The resulting white precipitate is filtered and dried in vacuum to afford the title compound (91 g, 77%).

Provenance & Evidence