Diethyl dibromomalonate is used for selective bromination of polyunsaturated ester enolates; converts alkenes into cyclopropanes in
the presence of suitable heavy metal reagents.
Diethyl dibromomalonate is prepared in 95% yield by reaction of diethyl malonate with bromine.
Diethyl dibromomalonate reacts with sodium methoxide in cyclohexene to afford dibromonorcarane. It also reacts with allyl(pyridine)cobaloximes to afford the corresponding allyl-substituted esters.
lachrymator; light sensitive. Store in the dark under nitrogen. This
toxic reagent should be handled in a fume hood.
