Synthesis of acetyipyruvic methyl ester

Acetylpyruvic acid methyl ester can be synthesized by the condensation of dimethyl oxalate and acetone in the presence of sodium methoxide.Experiments were made by different conditions which consist of the ratio of reactants,temperature,the choice of catalyst and solution,etc.The results showed that when the molar radio of dimethyl oxalate,acetone,sodium methoxide is 1:1.2:1.2,in this case,acetylpyruvic methyl ester is in the form of white needles,the yield is 82.3 %.