Process for preparing electron deficient olefin precursors

A process for the preparation of an electron deficient olefin precursor, steps of which comprise:

• (a) reacting:
• (i) a 2-electron withdrawing group-substituted methylene compound embraced by:
• wherein EWG represents an electron withdrawing group;
• and R here represents straight chain, branched, cyclic or fused C1-20 alkyl, C2-20 alkenyl, C2-20 alkynyl, and C6-20 aryl or C7-20 alkaryl, with or without substitution or interruption by one or more heteroatoms;
• and
• (ii) an alcohol,
• in the presence of a catalyst comprising a lanthanide element or a transition metal halide, under appropriate conditions and for a time sufficient to yield an electron deficient olefin precursor embraced by:
• wherein EWG represents an electron withdrawing group;
• and R here represents straight chain, branched, cyclic or fused C1-20 alkyl, C2-20 alkenyl, C2-20 alkynyl, and C6-20 aryl or C7-20 alkaryl, with or without substitution or interruption by one or more heteroatoms provided that R is different from step (a)(i);
• (b) optionally, separating from the mixture the so formed electron deficient olefin precursor substantially free from the ester of cyanoacetic acid, the alcohol and/or the catalyst, and by-products.