In the previous section, we learned how to use diethyl malonate as a starting material

Chapter 22, Problem 22.46

(choose chapter or problem)

In the previous section, we learned how to use diethyl malonate as a starting material in the preparation of substituted carboxylic acids (the malonic ester synthesis). That method employed a step in which the enolate of diethyl malonate attacked an alkyl halide to give an alkylation product. In this section, we saw that the enolate of diethyl malonate can attack many electrophilic reagents other than simple alkyl halides. Specifically, the enolate of diethyl malonate can attack any of the Michael acceptors in Table 22.2. Using diethyl malonate as your starting material and any other reagents of your choice, show how you would prepare each of the following compounds: HO O O (a) HO O NO2