Synthesis of 2-[2H]-2-(1-methylalkyl)succinic acids

We describe a specific procedure for the synthesis of deuterium-labelled 2-(1-methylalkyl)succinate established via alkylation of diethyl malonate, Krapcho decarboxylation reaction with D2O and hydrolysis reaction. Two novel compounds, 2-[2H]-2-ethylsuccinic acid and 2-[2H]-2-(1-methylheptyl) succinic acid were prepared via this synthetic route and characterized by mass spectrometry and 1H NMR. The results showed that the 2-(1-methylalkyl)succinic acids were deuterated at the β-position, which is considered as an important reaction centre in the anaerobic degradation of n-alkanes.