Answer to Question #264239 in Organic Chemistry for shinal

Question

The reaction scheme shows the synthesis of 2-methylpentnoic acid from diethyl malonate (malonic ester).

i). The reagents in step 1 are: (i) EtO and (ii) an alkyl halide. What alkyl halide is required in step 1? Draw a mechanism for the reactions that occur in step 1.

ii). suggest reagents for step 2.

iii). suggest reagents for step 3. Name this type of reaction.

iv). Step 4 is a thermal decarboxylation reaction. show a mechanism for the decarboxylation in step 4 that results in the formation of 2-methylpentnoic acid, and explain why the decarboxylation of the dicarboxylic acid in step 4 is particularly facile that is it readily occurs.

Answer 1

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