Water → Dimethyl (m-phenylbenzyl)malonate

Participants

Reaction Steps

Solutions of dimethyl malonate (1.32 g) in dry methanol (5 ml) and 3-phenylbenzyl bromide (2.47 g) in dry methanol (5 ml, hot solution) were added successively to a stirred solution of sodium methoxide [from sodium (0.23 g) and dry methanol (20 ml)]. The resulting mixture was stirred for 2 hours at room temperature and for 2 hours under reflux, then poured into water and extracted with ether. The extracts were washed with water, dried, concentrated and purified by column chromatography using a 1:1 mixture of dichloromethane and 40°-60° C. petrol as eluant to give dimethyl (m-phenylbenzyl)malonate (1.77 g, 59%) as a yellow oil, IR (film): 1 755 and 1 740 cm-1.

Provenance & Evidence