Diethylsuccinoylsuccinate

Diethylsuccinoylsuccinate is an organic compound with the formula [CH2C(OH)=C(CO2Et)]2 (Et = ethyl).

A tetrasubstituted derivative of 1,4-cyclohexadiene, the compound is the enol tautomer of the corresponding cyclohexadione.

[1] It is produced by base-induced condensation of diethyl succinate:[2] Diethylsuccinylsuccinate is valued as a precursor to the quinacridone pigments.

For example, it reacts with two equiv of anilines to give the diamines [CH2C(N(H)Ar)=C(CO2Et)]2, which undergoes cyclization upon treatment with acid to give dihydroquinacridone.

[3][4][5] When heated in the presence of acid, diethylsuccinoylsuccinate converts to 1,4-cyclohexanedione via hydrolysis of the esters followed by decarboxylation.