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HONGKUN / PRODUCT DIRECTORY

Ethyl 2-methylacetoacetate | CAS 609-14-3

An alpha-methyl beta-keto ester used as a carbon nucleophile precursor in asymmetric synthesis research, where substrate identity and reaction-controlled stereochemistry are separate qualification questions.

CAS609-14-3
Molecular formulaC7H12O3
Molecular weight144.17 g/mol

Product overview

Adding a methyl group at the carbon between ketone and ester changes ethyl acetoacetate into a distinct, alpha-substituted building block. Ethyl 2-methylacetoacetate retains an enolizable methine at that position, enabling carbon-carbon bond construction while carrying a preinstalled methyl substituent. Published asymmetric Mannich research uses it as a model substrate. The generic name and CAS 609-14-3 do not specify a single stereoisomer or guarantee the selectivity of a later reaction. Buyers should confirm both the alpha-methyl substitution and the ethyl ester group. Qualification should also establish the assay method and treatment of the keto/enol system, together with related beta-keto ester impurities relevant to the planned chemistry.

Chemical identity

Chemical name
Ethyl 2-methylacetoacetate
CAS number
609-14-3
Molecular formula
C7H12O3
Molecular weight
144.17 g/mol

Application context

Ethyl 2-methylacetoacetate has been used in published copper/squaramide cooperative-catalysis research on asymmetric Mannich reactions. In that setting, the beta-keto ester supplies the carbon component that reacts with an imino ester partner to build more substituted stereochemical frameworks. Its alpha-methyl group is part of the substrate design, rather than an impurity in ordinary ethyl acetoacetate. The application is synthetic-method development; stereoselectivity is a property of the full reaction system. Purchasing this reagent should therefore focus on structural identity, composition and any catalyst-sensitive impurities specified by the user, with product stereochemistry assessed at the appropriate downstream stage.

Chemistry and synthetic role

The structure is CH3CO–CH(CH3)–COOEt. The central methine can participate in keto/enol chemistry; its methyl substituent differentiates the reagent from an unsubstituted active-methylene ester.

Quality review

Check alpha substitution and ester type

Distinguish ethyl 2-methylacetoacetate from ethyl acetoacetate and the corresponding methyl ester.

Define the analytical reporting basis

Agree the assay method and interpretation of signals associated with keto/enol behaviour.

Review composition for catalyst studies

Set water, acid/base residues or other relevant impurity criteria according to the selected catalytic system.

Preparing a specification

Specify CAS 609-14-3, ethyl ester identity, chromatographic assay and limits for related beta-keto esters. State catalyst-sensitive impurity requirements and any stereochemical requirement explicitly.

Packaging and storage

Packaging, closure and net weight are agreed for the selected grade, order quantity and destination. Confirm storage and transport requirements against the actual supplier SDS.

Documentation

Request a batch COA, specification, identity data and SDS. Confirm the availability of the analytical methods and any application-specific impurity results with the proposed supplier.

Procurement questions

Is the 2-methyl group part of the required structure?

Yes; it is attached to the carbon between the ketone and ester.

Does this CAS imply an enantiopure substrate?

No. A stereodefined requirement needs separate agreement and evidence.

Will it behave like ethyl acetoacetate?

Its alpha substitution changes the available carbon framework and can change reaction outcomes.

Technical sources
  1. Ethyl 2-methylacetoacetate M0698TCI
  2. Ethyl 2-methylacetoacetate CID 701PubChem
  3. Accessing acyclic vicinal tetrasubstituted stereocenters by cooperative asymmetric Mannich catalysisNature Communications / PMC