A Convenient Preparation of Dimethyl and Diethyl Oxaloacetate

Abstract

Abstract The title compounds have usually been prepared as their sodium salts by Claisen condensations with acetic and oxalic acid esters and strong bases such as sodium alkoxides as catalysts.1,2 In this communication we want to present a very mild and convenient route to both title compounds starting from the corresponding methyl or ethyl acetylenedicarboxylates.