Preparation of alkyl cyanoacetates

摘要

A process for preparing alkyl cyanoacetates of the general formula I <IMAGE> I where R is an n-valent aliphatic radical which has 6 to 20 carbon atoms and whose carbon framework can be interrupted by one to three oxygen atoms in ether functionality, and n is a number from 1 to 6, by reacting cyanoacetic acid in aqueous medium with an alcohol R(OH)n, where the esterification is carried out in the presence of an inert entrainer and, during the reaction, water and entrainer are distilled out.