Acetone → Diethyl isopropylidenemalonate

Participants

Reaction Steps

There were placed diethyl malonate (133 g, 0.83 mol), acetone (72 g, 1.24 mol), acetic anhydride (106 g, 1.05 mol) and zinc chloride (17.0 g, 0.125 mmol in a 500 ml three neck flask. After 24 hour reflux, benzene (200 ml) was added and the reaction mixture was washed with water (100 ml×4). The aqueous layer was further extracted with benzene (50 ml×2). The organic layers were combined and concentrated. The residue was distilled under reduced pressure to give oily product, diethyl isopropylidenemalonate (68.0 g, 0.34 mol, 41.0%, b.p.: 112° C./9 mmHg). The structure was confirmed by the following data.

Provenance & Evidence