Malonic ketocarboxylic acid

Thermal degradation prior to ionization can cause decarbonylation or decarboxylation of the analyte. Decarbonylation, for example, is observed from a-ketocarboxylic acids and a-ketocarboxylic acid esters, whereas decarboxylation is typical behavior of P-oxocarboxylic acids such as malonic acid and its derivatives and di-, tri-, or polycarboxylic acids. 

Gas-phase decarboxylation of /i-ketocarboxylic acids XCOCH2COOH (X = H, OH, and CH3) has also been the subject of theoretical studies.42 Ah initio calculations reveal that decarboxylation via a six-membered (rather than four-membered) ring transition state is favoured. Activation barriers of 23.8, 23.3 and 28.5 kcal mol-1 have been calculated for decarboxylation of 3-oxopropanoic acid, acetoacetic acid, and malonic acid, respectively. Only marginal effects of solvent on the energy barriers and on the geometries of the reactants and transition structures are predicted. The activation energy predicted for reaction of malonic acid agrees well with the experimental value and rate constants have been predicted for decarboxylation of 3-oxopropanoic acid and acetoacetic acid in the gas phase. 

Carboxylic from malonic esters s. 22, 84 ketones from -ketocarboxylic acid esters s. H. Hagiwara et al., Bull. Chem. Soc. Japan 48, 3723 (1975)... 

Isopropylmagnesium bromide /9-Ketocarboxylic acid esters from malonic acid monoesters... 

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