Simple, Safe, Large Scale Synthesis of 5-Arylmethyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4,6-diones and 3-Arylpropanoic Acids

Reaction of aryl aldehydes with Meldrum's acid 2 in the presence of formic acid and triethylamine gives 5-arylmethyl Meldrum's acid derivatives 4 at room temperature, whereas at 80–100°C 3-arylpropanoic acids 5 are formed.