Synthesis of Chiral Esters of Acetylenedicarboxylic Acid

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)73402-2

A general method for the preparation of acetylenedicarboxylic acid esters has been investigated and several esters have been prepared in excellent yield.The bis-(methyl (S)-lactyl), bis-(methyl (R)-mandelyl), and bis-menthyl esters were prepared, as well as achiral diaryl and dialkyl esters.The esters were synthesized from the corresponding dibromofumarates by 2,3-dibromo elimination using zinc or zinc amalgam in THF at room temperature or at reflux.The dibromofumarates were prepared by the esterification of dibromofumaryl chloride with the corresponding alcohols.