Synthesis of 1,4-Dicarbonyl Compounds via the Conjugate Addition of a Masked Activated Ester, ROCH(CN)2

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00026a003

A new acyl anion equivalent for the preparation of masked activated esters, the protected hydroxymalonitrile 1, readily undergoes conjugate addition to α,β-unsaturated carbonyl derivatives 2 to give the masked 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds 3 in good to high yi