Metal reductions of malonates and oxalates. A covenient decarboxylation route for disubstituted malonates and synthesis of keten acetals

Alkali-metal reduction of disubstituted malonates or treatment of esters with base in the presence of trimethylchlorosilane gives high yields of the reactive disubstituted keten alkyl trimethylsilyl acetals, while diethyl oxalate, under similar conditions is reduced to 1,2-diethyl-1,2-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)ethylene.