| abstract |
An acylated 1,3-dicarbonyl compound is produced by rearrangement of the corresponding enol ester in the presence of a cyanide source. In one embodiment the cyanide source is employed with a molar excess of a moderate base, with respect to the enol ester. In another embodiment, the cyanide source is a stoichiometric amount, with respect to the enol ester, of potassium or lithium cyanide and a catalytic amount of a crown ether is used. |