Ethyl diazoacetate (CAS NO.: ), which is also known as , diazo-, ethyl ester, could be produced through the following synthetic routes.

A solution of 140 g. (1 mole) of ethyl glycinate hydrochloride2 in 250 ml. of water is mixed with 600 ml. of methylene chloride in a 2-l. four-necked round-bottomed flask fitted with a stirrer, dropping funnel, thermometer, and nitrogen inlet tube, and cooled to -5°. The flask is flushed with nitrogen and an ice-cold solution of 83 g. (1.2 moles) of sodium nitrite in 250 ml. of water is added with stirring. The temperature is lowered to -9°, and 95 g. of 5% (by weight) sulfuric acid is added from the dropping funnel during a period of about 3 minutes. The temperature may rise to a maximum of +1° with the cooling bath at -23°. The reaction terminates within 10 minutes, when heat is no longer evolved.

The reaction mixture is transferred to an ice-cold 2-l. separatory funnel, and the yellow-green methylene chloride layer is run into 1 l. of cold 5% sodium bicarbonate solution. The aqueous layer is extracted once with 75 ml. of methylene chloride. The methylene chloride and sodium bicarbonate solutions are returned to the separatory funnel and shaken until no trace of acid remains, as shown by indicator paper. The golden yellow organic layer is separated, transferred to a dry separatory funnel, and shaken for 5 minutes with 15 g. of granular anhydrous sodium sulfate. The dried ethyl diazoacetate solution is filtered through a cotton plug inserted in the separatory funnel stem, and the bulk of the solvent is distilled through an efficient column at a pressure of about 350 mm.. The last traces of solvent are removed at a pressure of 20 mm. and a maximum pot temperature of 35°. The yield is 90–100 g. (79–88%) of yellow oil, nD25 1.462. This product is pure enough for most synthetic work.

Notice: s are potentially explosive and therefore must be handled with caution. They are also toxic and prone to cause development of specific sensitivity. A well-ventilated hood should be used for the entire procedure.