What Chemical Reactions Can Meldrum's acid Participate in?

Due to its unique structure and the vast array of substituents that can be attached to its core, Meldrum's acid is a molecule with exceptional chemical properties. In water, it has a remarkably low pKa value of about 4.9. Its C5 position is readily involved in electrophilic substitution reactions whereas the C4 and C6 positions are easily attacked by nucleophiles. At elevated temperatures Meldrum's acid undergoes distinctive decomposition pathways, which can be used in cycloaddition and acylation reactions.

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