Preparation
Preparative Methods of Methyl 2-oxoacetate: efficient methods include oxidative cleavage of tartrate diesters, ozonolysis of
maleate/fumarate derivatives, exchange reaction between appropriate dialkoxyacetate and glyoxylic acid,
and NaOAc-catalyzed elimination of nitrite ion from nitrate esters.[1]
General Description
Methyl Glyoxylate is a two-carbon synthon utilized in electrocyclic processes (Diels-Alder reaction, ene reactions), various
condensations (Mannich, aldol, Wittig, Prins, acyloin), carbinolamine formation, and Friedel-Crafts
reactions.
References
1. (a) Wolf, F. J.; Weijland, J. OSC 1963, 4, 124. (b) Jung, M. E.; Shishido, K.; Davis, L. H. JOC 1982, 47, 891. (c)
Blake, J.; Tretter, J. R.; Juhasz, G. J.; Bonthrone, W.; Rappoport, H. JACS 1966, 88, 4061. (d) Haggerty, J. G.; Kelly,
T. R.; Schmidt, T. E. S 1972, 544. Hook, J. M. SC 1984, 14, 83. (e) Kornblum, N.; Frazier, H. W. JACS 1966, 88, 865.
