Preparation of Ethyl α -Cyano-β -(o-tolyl)-acrylate and Ethyl α -Cyano-β -methyl-β -mesityl acrylate

Abstract

Ethyl trans-α -cyano-β -(o-tolyl)acrylate [1] was prepared by Cope-Knoevenagel condensation. Ethyl α -cyano-β -methyl-β -mesityl acrylate [2] could not be obtained by Cope-Knoevenagel condensation from 2, 4, 6-trimethylacetophenone, because its ketonic properties decreased due to the steric hindrance. Then, we prepared [2] in the following way. After ethyl trans-α -cyano-β -mesityl acrylate [3] had been prepared by Cope-Knoevenagel condensation from 2, 4, 6-trimethylaldehyde, [2] was prepared by methylation of [3] with diazomethane. Spectral data of [1] and [2] are shown.