2-Ethylation of Methyl Acetoacetate by Phase Transfer Reaction

Abstract

Examination was made of the selectivity of 2-ethylation in the reaction of acetoacetate with ethyl iodide using the nonaqueous phase transfer reaction. Selectivity was high in the reaction using triethylbenzylammonium chloride as the phase transfer catalyst at room temperature. A suitable solvent was shown to be benzene.