Problems and exercisesMichael (conjugate) addition
Exercise 1
Write the product of the Michael addition of ethyl acetoacetate to acrylonitrile with a catalytic amount of sodium ethoxide, and explain why a catalytic amount of base is enough.
Exercise 2
Propose a synthesis of hexane-2,5-dione from acetone and a nitroalkene.
Exercise 3
Why do organocuprates give conjugate addition to enones while organolithiums attack the carbonyl?