Stobbe Condensation

Abstract

The Stobbe condensation is a strong base (e.g., NaOEt) promoted condensation between a ketone (or aldehyde) and a dialkyl ester of diacid (e.g., succinate) in an alcoholic solution to form a half ester of the substituted itaconate. It has been reported that the Stobbe condensation involving a ketone usually gives a higher yield and purer substituted itaconate, if potassium t ‐butoxide or sodium hydride is used in a short reaction period rather than sodium ethoxide. The driving force for the Stobbe condensation is assumed to be the formation of a γ‐lactone. This reaction has wide application in organic synthesis especially for the preparation of estrone derivatives.