The preparation of (a.-phthalimidoacyl)malonates via mixed
anhydrides (Ila, b) and subsequent monodeethoxycarbonylation into
the (a.-phthalimidoacyl)acetates (IVa, b) is described. Cyclization ·of
(Illa) with hydroxylamine led to 3-(phthalimidomethyl)isoxazolin-
5-one-4-carboxylic acid (VI), while the malonate derivative (IIIb),
when reacted with hydrazine, gave 4-ethoxycarbonyl-3-(a.-phthalimidoethyl) pyrazolin-5-one (VII). The ketalization of ethyl (phthalimidoacetyl) acetate (!Va) with methyl orthoformate gave methyl
(phthalimidoacetyl)acetate dimethyl ketal (V). The structure of the
obtained compounds is discussed on the basis of their 1H nuclear
magnetic resonance spectra, in some cases supported by infrared
data