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
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.


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.