Decarboxylation of beta-keto carboxylic acids
Description: When carboxylic acids containing a carbonyl group two bonds away (“on the β carbon”) are heated, carbon dioxide is lost.
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Real-World Examples
Org. Synth. 1927, 7, 40
DOI Link: 10.15227/orgsyn.007.0040


Org. Synth. 1934, 14, 58
DOI Link: 10.15227/orgsyn.014.0058


Org. Synth. 1941, 21, 99
DOI Link: 10.15227/orgsyn.021.0099


Org. Synth. 1951, 31, 74
DOI Link: 10.15227/orgsyn.031.0074


Org. Synth. 1950, 30, 81
DOI Link: 10.15227/orgsyn.030.0081


Org. Synth. 1968, 48, 56
DOI Link: 10.15227/orgsyn.048.0056


Org. Synth. 1965, 45, 25
DOI Link: 10.15227/orgsyn.045.0025


why beta keto acids are unstable?
Because they are likely to decarboxylate, as the title of this page suggests.
Please can you explain sigmatropic reactions. I dont understand it
can you also explain the mechanism of heating of oxalic,succinic and adipic acid? plssss
We are doing carboxylation of Potassium 2,5-dichlorophenolate at 35 Bar and 120 deg C. But often we are getting very less conversion and are not able to understand the mechanism for the low conversion. IS the reaction irreversible and what are the parameters to control this
Yes, you’re forming a carbonate. You need to trap it somehow otherwise it will decarboxylate. But why are you doing this? Why not treat the phenolate with Boc2O or something and be done with it.