Methyl-4-oxobutyrate is a kind of oxobutyrate derivative. It is an
important industrial intermediate. It, together with its methanol
addition products such as methyl 4,4-dimethoxybutyrate and gamma-
methoxy-gamma-butyrolactone are useful intermediates during the
preparation of some important industrial compounds such as gamma-
butyrolactone, 1,4-butanediol and glutamate. It is also useful as a
model substrate during exploring the asymmetric henry reaction since
it can assemble a stereodefined lactam with high efficiency and
enantiomeric purity.
Methyl 4-oxobutanoate may be used as a starting material to synthesize (-)-deoxoprosophylline, a piperidine alkaloid with therapeutic potential.
Gresham, William F, R. E. Brooks, and W. M. Bruner. "Preparation of methyl 4-oxobutyrate." US2549454. 1951.
Murib, Jawad H, and W. D. Baugh. "Process for the preparation of methyl 4-oxobutyrate and its methanol addition products." US, US5072005. 1991.
https://www.scbt.com/scbt/product/methyl-4-oxobutanoate-13865-19-5
