Malons

Malons are a class of organic compounds that are derivatives of malonic acid. Malonic acid itself is a dicarboxylic acid with the formula CH2(COOH)2. Malons are characterized by the presence of a methylene group (-CH2-) situated between two carboxyl groups (-COOH). In a broader sense, the term "malons" can also refer to esters of malonic acid, such as diethyl malonate, which are frequently used in organic synthesis. These esters are particularly important due to the acidity of the alpha-hydrogens on the methylene group, which can be readily deprotonated by a base to form a carbanion. This carbanion is nucleophilic and can participate in a variety of carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions, most notably the malonic ester synthesis. This synthetic pathway allows for the preparation of substituted acetic acids and subsequently various other compounds like barbiturates and carboxylic acids. The versatility of malons in organic chemistry makes them valuable building blocks for the creation of more complex molecules.