Pyruvic Acid Dimethylhydrazone. A Synthetic Equivalent of the Pyruvic Acid Dianion

Abstract The pyruvic acid dimethyl hydrazone can be easily prepared in ether. This compound, after deprotonation with alkyllithium, forms a strong nucleophile which on treatment with electrophiles and acidic work up yield α-ketoacids, α-hydroxybutenolides or α,γ-diketoacids.