Sodium hydride → Di-tert-butyl 2-(4-methyl-2-nitrophenyl)malonate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A stirred solution of di-tert-butyl malonate (1.5 mL, 6.70 mmol) in N, N-dimethylformamide (15 mL) at 0° C. under argon was treated portionwise over 10 minutes with sodium hydride (276 mg of 60% oil dispersion, 6.90 mmol) and stirred at 0° C. for 15 minutes before allowing to warm to room temperature over 1 hour. A white precipitate was produced. The stirred mixture was cooled to 0° C. and treated with a solution of 4-fluoro-3-nitrotoluene (1.0 g, 6.45 mmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide (2 mL) and a deep purple colour was immediately formed. This mixture was stirred at room temperature for 28 hours then heated at 70° C. for 6 hours. The mixture was cooled, then diluted with water (100 mL) and extracted with Et2O (2×50 mL). The combined extract was washed with water (70 mL), dried (Na2SO4) and concentrated under vacuum. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel (40 g) eluting with toluene to afford the title compound as a yellow oil (660 mg, 29%).

Provenance & Evidence