文摘
The highly efficient selective monohydrolysis of symmetric diesters has been applied to monohydrolysis of several dialkyl malonates and their derivatives. The best conditions apply 0.8–1.2 equiv of aqueous KOH with a co-solvent, THF or acetonitrile, at 0 °C. The procedure is highly practical, yielding the corresponding half-esters in high yields in a straightforward manner, without inducing decarboxylation. It was found that the selectivity tends to become higher with increased hydrophobicity.