A Study of the Classical Malonic Ester Reaction Involving 2-Iodothiophene

In the field of synthetic organic chemistry the malonic ester synthesis has occupied a position of prime importance. The relatively small number of reported applications of this synthesis to thiophene compounds is somewhat surprising in view of the fact that both thiophene and malonic ester chemistry received initial attention in the 1880\u27s. A study was undertaken for the purpose of determining whether 2-iodothiophene and 2,5-diiodothiophene are capable of undergoing condensation with malonic ester in presence of sodium ethoxide. Reaction with 2,5-diiodothiophene was never attempted due to unexpected complications in the study of the reaction of 2-iodothiophene with malonic ester. A thorough survey of the literature did not indicate any evidence of these reactions having been studied and reported. If the reactions can be carried out it should be possible to synthesize a variety of compounds