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 cyclohexanedione. It is produced by base-induced condensation of diethyl succinate:
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.
When heated in the presence of acid, diethylsuccinoylsuccinate converts to 1,4-cyclohexanedione via hydrolysis of the esters followed by decarboxylation.
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