Acetoacetic ester synthesis

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Acetoacetic ester synthesis
Reaction type Coupling reaction
Reaction
Acetoacetic acid esters
+
R-X
+
(-O-R & H3O+)
α-substituted acetone
Conditions
Temperature
Identifiers
Organic Chemistry Portal acetoacetic-ester-synthesis
RSC ontology ID RXNO:0000107

Acetoacetic ester synthesis is a chemical reaction where ethyl acetoacetate is alkylated at the α-carbon to both carbonyl groups and then converted into a ketone, or more specifically an α-substituted acetone. This is very similar to malonic ester synthesis.

Acetoacetic ester synthesis equation
Acetoacetic ester synthesis equation

Mechanism

A strong base deprotonates the dicarbonyl α-carbon. This carbon is preferred over the methyl carbon because the formed

decarboxylated to form a methyl ketone.[1][2]Acetoacetic ester synthesis

Double deprotonation of ethyl acetoacetate

The classical acetoacetatic ester synthesis utilizes the 1:1 conjugate base. Ethyl acetoacetate is however diprotic:[3]

CH3C(O)CH2CO2Et + NaH → CH3C(O)CH(Na)CO2Et + H2
CH3C(O)CH(Na)CO2Et + BuLi → LiCH2C(O)CH(Na)CO2Et + BuH

The dianion (i.e., LiCH2C(O)CH(Na)CO2Et) adds electrophile to the terminal carbon as depicted in the following simplified form:[3]

LiCH2C(O)CH(Na)CO2Et + RX → RCH2C(O)CH(Na)CO2Et + LiX

See also

References

  1. ^ Smith, Janice Gorzynski. Organic Chemistry: Second Ed. 2008. pp 905–906
  2. ^ Acetoacetic Ester Synthesis – Alkylation of Enolates | PharmaXChange.info
  3. ^ .