Catalyst-free transformations of diethyl 2-ethoxymethylenemalonate and diethyl polyfluorobenzoylmalonates in water

The unusual transformation of diethyl 2-ethoxymethylenemalonate into triethyl 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate is described. This one-pot reaction proceeds in water without any catalyst in a good yield. One of the proposed intermediates of this process is also used under similar conditions to give the desired trisubstituted benzene. A catalyst-free, efficient, practical, and convenient process in water based on deethoxycarbonylation has been developed to form ethyl polyfluorobenzoylacetates in a high yield from diethyl polyfluorobenzoylmalonates.