methyl 2-ethoxyacetate

Conditions: temp:0.00; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: A solution of 1,1-bis(3-tolyl)-2-methoxyethanol (24.66 g) (obtained by the reaction of 3-tolylmagnesium bromide with methyl 2-ethoxyacetate in tetrahydrofuran) in formic acid (30 cc) is heated to reflux for 12 hours, cooled and poured into a mixture of saturated sodium carbonate solution (400 cc) and ethyl acetate (400 cc). The organic phase is washed with water (3×300 cc) and with saturated sodium chloride solution (300 cc) then dried and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure (2.7 kPa) to give bis(3-tolyl)acetaldehyde (20.45 g) in the form of a yellow oil.