Pinacolone → methyl 5,5-dimethyl-2,4-dioxohexanoate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

198 g of methanolic sodium methyate solution (30% strength by weight) are added to 400 g of chlorobenzene. The methanol is distilled off at 65° C. in the course of 1 hour. The mixture is cooled to 10° C. and 118 g (1 mol) of molten oxalic acid dimethyl ester are introduced in the course of 1 hour. Thereafter, 100 g (1 mol) of pinacolin are allowed to run in and the mixture is subsequently stirred at room temperature for 15 minutes. It is heated, and the methanol formed in the reaction is distilled off in the course of 2 hours. Neutralisation with sulphuric acid, separation of the phases and distillation of the organic phase gives 165 g of pivaloylpyruvic acid methyl ester (87.8% of the theoretical yield). Purity: 99.0%.

Provenance & Evidence