LITHIUM CHLORIDE CATALYZED DECARBOXYLATION OF OXALACETIC ACID IN ETHANOL

Abstract
The monovalent metal salt lithium chloride promotes the decarboxylation of oxalacetic acid in ethanol. The absorption peak which appears at 230 mμ during the reaction is interpreted to be the enol form of pyruvic acid. Hydrogen chloride has a similar effect on the decarboxylation.