Ethylene Glycol → 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-carboxylic acid

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Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

To a stirred mixture containing ethyl pyruvate (11.1 mL, 0.1 mol) and ethylene glycol (5.6 mL, 0.1 mol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (100 mL) at 0° C. was added boron trifluoride dietherate (6.4 mL, 0.05 mol) and catalytic amount of acetic acid. The resulting mixture was stirred at 40° C. for 16 h and then diluted with 100 mL of dichloromethane. The organic solution was washed successively with saturated sodium chloride solution (2×80 mL). The organic layer was separated and the combined organic extracts were concentrated. The residue was treated with 1N sodium hydroxide at room temperature. After stirring at room temperature for 3 h (monitored by TLC), citric acid was added to adjust the pH to 4. The product was extracted with dichloromethane, dried over Na2SO4 and concentrated to afford 5.1 g (38%) of the title compound (129) as a clear liquid. This material was used in the next reaction without further purification. 1H NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz): δ 1.55 (s, 3H), 4.03 (m, 4H).

Provenance & Evidence