Methanol → Dimethyl 4-nitro-1H-indene-2,2(3H)-dicarboxylate

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Reaction Steps

To a solution stirred under nitrogen at room temperature, to 5.0 mL methanol in 15.0 mL ether was added 60% sodium hydride (0.84 g, 0.021 mol) in small portions. After the addition was complete, the nearly clear and colorless solution was stirred for 5 minutes. To it was then added 1.3 g dimethyl malonate, giving a slightly cloudy colorless solution. To this was rapidly added a suspension of 3.1 g 1,2-bis(bromomethyl)3-nitrobenzene, which immediate gave a precipitate suspended in a dark green solution. This was removed by filtation and the filtrate was concentrated. The residue was purified on silica (20%-100% CH2Cl2 in hexanes) to give 1.93 g off-white solid (67%).

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