I need some 2-substituted malonic acids. For example 2-(adamantan-1-yl)malonic acid. It is easy to prepare corresponding ethyl or methyl ester. But any attempts to hydrolyse it lead to decarboxylation. In my example the only product is 2-(adamantan-1-yl)acetic acid.
What I have alredy tried:
LiOH, NaOH, KOH in various concentrations in water and alcohol solutions
Freezing reaction mass down to -19C
Various concentrations of HCl in water.
Please let me know if there is any working method to hydrolyse such esters or another approach to synthesize 2-substituted malonic acids.