Tetrahydrofuran → Dimethyl (3,3-dimethyl-2-oxoheptyl)phosphonate

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Reaction Steps

n-Butyllithium (400 ml.) is slowly added to a solution of dimethyl methylphosphonate (73.7 g.) in 1.3 l. of THF at about -66° C. To the mixture is added a solution of ethyl 2,2-dimethylhexanoate (53 g.) in 150 ml. of THF, and the resulting mixture is stirred at -70° C. for 2 hrs. Then, 46 ml. of acetic acid is added, and the mixture is concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue is mixed with portions of dichloromethane (about 1.2 l.) and water (about 150 ml.), shaken, and separated. The organic phase is dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated. Distillation yields the title compound, 41.6 g., b.p. 117°-120° C./1 mm.

Provenance & Evidence