Generation of ester enolates by reductive a-deacetoxylation

Diethyl allylmalonates or 2-arylalkanoic esters are prepared in good yield by reductive α-deoxygenation of the corresponding α-acetoxy or α-alkony esters. Since the intermediate ester enolates are generated under aprotic conditions, a one pot reductive-alkylation is also possible. One application of this procedure allows diethyl oxomalonate to serve as a conjunctive reagent for stitching together an alkene and an alkyl halide with a malonyl group as linchpin.