Iii a continuing study of methods for synthesizing a-(halomethyl)acrylic derivatives,3 the action of mineral acid on diethyl bis (hydroxymethyl)malonate has been examined. From the results obtained, it seems reasonable to conclude that when diethyl bis(hydroxymethyl)malonate is heated with concentrated mineral acid, a-(hydroxymethyl)acrylic acid is obtained as the first isolable product. If the mineral acid is a halogen acid, displacement of the allylic hy-HOCH2
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