Synthesis 2009(4): 627-635  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1083351
PAPER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

A Practical Synthesis of α-Substituted tert-Butyl Acrylates from Meldrum’s Acid and Aldehydes

Christopher G. Frost*a, Stephen D. Penrosea, Robert Gleaveb
a Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
Fax: +44(1225)386231; e-Mail: c.g.frost@bath.ac.uk;
b Neurology and Gastrointestinal Centre of Excellence for Drug Discovery, GlaxoSmithKline, New Frontiers Science Park, Third Avenue, Harlow, Essex, CM19 5AW, UK
Further Information

Publication History

Received 29 August 2008
Publication Date:
02 February 2009 (online)

Abstract

An expeditious synthesis of α-substituted tert-butyl acryl­ates from commercially available aldehydes and Meldrum’s acid has been established. The method benefits from a telescoped condensation-reduction sequence to afford 5-monosubstituted Meldrum’s acid derivatives followed by a Mannich-type reaction triggered by a rapid cycloreversion of the dioxinone ring on heating with tert-butyl alcohol.