• With the benzylic phosphoranes, gives stereoselectively (Z)-3-aryl-2-ethoxyacrylates: Synthesis, 958 (1989).
• Base-promoted condensation with ketones, esters, nitriles, etc. yields ɑ-ethoxalyl derivatives, which with aldehydes, e.g. formaldehyde, yield ɑ?-unsaturated compounds: J. Org. Chem., 42, 1180 (1977). Condensation with the activated methyl group of o-nitrotoluenes can lead to indole-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester: Org. Synth. Coll., 5, 567 (1973), or to o-nitrophenylacetic acids which can be converted to indole-2-acetic acid esters: Org. Synth. Coll., 9, 601 (1998).
• Reaction with Grignard reagents at low temperatures gives ɑ-keto esters: Synth. Commun., 11, 943 (1981); Org. Prep. Proced. Int., 21, 501 (1989). Similarly, vinyl Grignards give 2-oxo-3-alkenoic acids: Synthesis, 564 (1988).