The preparation of ethyl acetoacetate involves

Options

A. Witting reaction
B. Cannizaro's reaction
C. Reformatsky reaction
D. Claisen condensation

Explanation

To prepare ethyl acetoacetate, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Reactants**: The preparation of ethyl acetoacetate involves using ethyl acetate as a starting material. Ethyl acetate has the chemical formula CH3COOCH2CH3.

2. **Use of Strong Base**: To initiate the reaction, we need to use a strong base. In this case, sodium ethoxide (C2H5ONa) is commonly used.

3. **Claisen Condensation Reaction**: The reaction that occurs is known as the Claisen condensation. In this process, two moles of ethyl acetate react in the presence of the strong base (sodium ethoxide).

4. **Formation of Ethyl Acetoacetate**: During the Claisen condensation, the ethyl acetate molecules undergo deprotonation and nucleophilic attack, leading to the formation of ethyl acetoacetate (CH3C(O)CH2C(O)OEt) and ethanol (C2H5OH) as a byproduct.

5. **Acidic Hydrolysis**: After the reaction, acidic hydrolysis is performed to ensure that the reaction products are in their final forms.

6. **Final Products**: The final products of the reaction are ethyl acetoacetate and ethanol.

### Summary of the Reaction:
- **Reactants**: 2 moles of Ethyl Acetate + Sodium Ethoxide (Base)
- **Reaction Type**: Claisen Condensation
- **Products**: Ethyl Acetoacetate + Ethanol

### Conclusion:
The preparation of ethyl acetoacetate involves the Claisen condensation of ethyl acetate in the presence of sodium ethoxide.

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