ChemInform Abstract: An Improved Synthesis of a Mixture of Diethyl Z- and E-3- Methylglutaconates from Ethyl Acetoacetate

A simple, efficient two-step synthesis of a mixture of diethyl (Z) and (E)-3-methylglutaconates from ethyl 4,6-dimethyl-2-oxo pyran-5-carboxylate in 83% yield is described. On the basis of this synthesis an improved procedure for the preparation of a mixture of (Z)- and (E)-3-methylglutaconic acids from ethyl acetoacetate in 44% overall yield was elaborated