Acetone → 2-Cyano-3-methyl-but-2-enoic acid ethyl ester

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A mixture of 152 g (1.34 mole) of ethylcyanoacetate (3) in 152 g (2.62 mole) of acetone (2) containing 4 mL of piperidine was stirred at 20-30° C. for 16 hours then heated to reflux for 24 hours. Removing the volatile portion, the residue was distilled at 30-50μ of Hg. The fractions boiling at 56-67° C. were collected to give 169 g (82%) of a colorless oil.

Provenance & Evidence