A Facile, Efficient Route to Methyl α-Hydroxymethylacrylate and Methyl α-Halomethylacrylates

Abstract
DABCO-catalysed coupling of formaldehyde and methyl acrylate provides the title hydroxy compound. Treatment with HBr conveniently affords the key synthetic intermediate methyl α-bromomethylacrylate in good overall yield.