A Simple and Efficient Synthesis of Alkyl (2-Nitroaryl)acetates and Alkyl 2-(2-Nitroaryl)propanoates via Vicarious Nucleophilic Substitution of Hydrogen in Nitroarenes by Carbanions or Alkyl Chloroacetates of Alkyl 2-Chloropropanoates

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-1988-27789

Alkyl chloroacetates react with nitroarenes and potassium tert-butoxide in dimethylformamide according to the Vicarious Nucleophilic Substitution pattern, preferentially in the position ortho to the nitro group, giving alkyl (2-nitroaryl)acetates in usually good yields.Alkyl 2-(2-nitroaryl)propanoates are obtained in an analogous manner.