An unusual synthesis of malonates

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)94545-3

The reaction of palladium diacetate, triethylamine, ethyl chlorocarbonate and carbon monoxide in acetonitrile at room temperature gives a good yield of diethyl malonate. By ¹³C labelling of each of the reagents in turn it has been proven that the methylene group of the malonate comes from an acetate originally bonded to Pd^II.