tert-butyl 3-(2-chlorophenyl)-3-oxopropanoate

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

Procedure: 1,1-Dimethylethyl 2-chlorobenzoylacetate (87 mg, 0.342 mmol) and N,N-dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal (50 μL, 45 mg, 0.375 mmol) were stirred in 1 mL of toluene. After 6 d, the reaction was concentrated in vacuo and the residue was subjected to flash chromatography. Elution with 1:1 hexanes/EtOAc afforded 61 mg (58%) of the title compound as an oil that solidified on standing, mp 97-99° C. the reaction was concentrated in vacuo Elution with 1:1 hexanes/EtOAc