Carbon Dioxide → 2-Cyano-3-isopropyl-hexanoic acid methyl ester

Participants

Reaction Steps

A 2.0 M solution of propyl magnesium chloride in Et2O (9.8 mL, 19.6 mmol) is added to a solution of 2-cyano-4-methyl-2-pentenoic acid (3.0 g, 19.6 mmol) in 50 mL of THF which is cooled in an EPA/dry ice bath to −40° C. under argon. The solution is stirred for 4 hours, and the reaction is quenched by addition of 50 mL of saturated KH2PO4. The THF is evaporated, and the remaining oil is chromatographed under medium pressure over silica gel with 50% CH2Cl2/hexane. Yield=1.9 g (50%) of 2-cyano-3-isopropyl-hexanoic acid methyl ester as an oil.

Provenance & Evidence