title: Reactions of dimethoxycarbene with dimethyl 2,3-dicycanomaleate and fumarate.
abstract: Dimethoxycarbene, in 2-fold or larger excess, reacts with dimethyl 2,3-dicyanomaleate and fumarate to afford an unstable dihydrofuran 1:1 adduct that was shown to react further with the carbene to afford a 2:1 adduct reported previously. In an astonishing process, the dihydrofuran reacts with water to afford a mixture of (d,l and meso) dimethyl 2,3-dicyanosuccinates in which both hydrogen atoms of water were used to hydrogenate a C=C bond.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S4M1, Canada.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sliwinska
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Warkentin