Methyl formate → (Z)-methyl 2-(hydroxymethylene)butanoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a suspension of NaH (7.99 g, 200 mmol) in DME (100 mL) was added a mixture of methyl butyrate (5.1 g, 49.9 mmol) and methyl formate (17.99 g, 300 mmol) in DME (100 mL) dropwise at 0° C. under nitrogen. The mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight, and then filtered through a pad of celite. To the filtrate was added ether (200 mL), and let the suspension stand for 4 h. The solid was collected by filtration, washed with diethyl ether and dried in vacuo to afford the title compound (3 g, 23.05 mmol). LCMS: rt=1.108 min, [M+H+]=130

Provenance & Evidence