Malonic ester synthesis

Malonic ester synthesis
Reaction type	Coupling reaction
Reaction
	Malonic acid esters
	+; R-X
	+; (-O-R & H3O+)
	↓
	Substituted Acetic Acid
	+; CO2
	+; R-OH
Conditions
Temperature	+Δ
Identifiers
Organic Chemistry Portal	malonic-ester-synthesis
RSC ontology ID	RXNO:0000107

The malonic ester synthesis is a chemical reaction where diethyl malonate or another ester of malonic acid is alkylated at the carbon alpha (directly adjacent) to both carbonyl groups, and then converted to a substituted acetic acid.^[2]

A major drawback of malonic ester synthesis is that the alkylation stage can also produce dialkylated structures. This makes separation of products difficult and yields lower.^[3]

^ Cite error: The named reference heat condition was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ House, Herbert O. (1972). Modern Synthetic Reactions. Menlo Park, CA.: W. A. Benjamin. ISBN 0-8053-4501-9.
^ Malonic Ester Synthesis – Alkylation of Enolates

[heat_condition-1] Cite error: The named reference heat condition was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[2] House, Herbert O. (1972). Modern Synthetic Reactions. Menlo Park, CA.: W. A. Benjamin. ISBN 0-8053-4501-9.

[3] Malonic Ester Synthesis – Alkylation of Enolates

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