Synthesis of triethyl arylmethanetricarboxylates by the manganese(III)-promoted reaction of electron-rich aromatic systems with triethyl methanetricarboxylate

Electron-rich aromatic systems undergo tri(ethoxycarbonyl)-methylation, in fair to excellent yields, on reaction with triethyl methanetricarboxylate (2) in the presence of manganese(III) acetate at 60-65 o C in acetic acid solution