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Reactions Involving Keto Acids and Keto Esters

What key reaction is associated with $\beta$ -keto acids?

Decarboxylation, a reaction whereby a carboxylic acid loses a carbon dioxide. $\beta$ -keto acids can decarboxylate easily when heated above 100 $^{o}$ C:

**Figure 49.3:** Decarboxylation of keto acids.
$\includegraphics[width=5in]{img-o-keto_acids_decarboxy.eps}$

What key reaction is associated with $\beta$ -keto esters?

Claisen condensation: synthesis of -keto esters
- First off, a condensation reaction is a reaction in which two molecules are joined with the elimination of an alcohol or water.
- For the synthesis of a $\beta$ -keto ester, ethyl acetate and sodium ethoxide are ``condensed" and then acidified. This produces ethyl acetoacetate aka acetoacetic ester:

**Figure 49.4:** Claisen condensation.
$\includegraphics{img-o-claisen_condens.eps}$

Alfa Diallo 2006-08-04