🥼organic chemistry review

Dieckmann cyclization reaction

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

The Dieckmann cyclization reaction is an intramolecular chemical process in Organic Chemistry where a dicarboxylic acid ester undergoes condensation to form a cyclic β-keto ester under the influence of a base. It serves as a specific example of intramolecular Claisen condensation, crucial for synthesizing five- or six-membered rings.