Automated structure elucidation of two unexpected products in a reaction of an α,β‐unsaturated pyruvate

The reaction between an alpha,beta-unsaturated pyruvate and ethyl diazoacetate (EDA) yielded two unexpected products. The structures of these products were determined by automated elucidation of the chemical structures using spectroscopic inputs of a series of 1D and 2D NMR data using the computer program ACD/Structure Elucidator, StrucEluc. The formation of these products is rationalised. Their structures were also confirmed by x-ray crystallography.