METHYL PHENYLACETYLACETATE

The solid acyl Meldrum s acid, without purification, is refluxed 1n 250 mL of anhydrous methanol for 2.5 hr. The solvent is removed with a rotary evaporator, and the residual oil 1s distilled under reduced pressure to give 25.2 g (82 ) of methyl phenylacetylacetate as a colorless liquid, bp 126-128°C/(0.6 mm). 

METHYL PHENYLACETYLACETATE ROM PHENYLACETYL CHLORIDE AND MELDRUM S ACID... 

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