Hydrochloric Acid → Ethyl 6-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,4,6-trioxohexanoate

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,3-butanedione (0.6 g) and diethyl oxalate (0.83 ml) in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (2 ml) was added to a stirred suspension of sodium hydride (0.44 g, 50% dispersion in mineral oil, washed with petrol 40°-60° C.) in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (5 ml) under nitrogen. The stirred mixture was heated under reflux for 1 hour, cooled and acidified with 2M hydrochloric acid (10 ml). The brown solid which formed was recrystallised from ethanol-water to give the title product (mp 93°-94° C.).

Provenance & Evidence