I have a little bit of problem trying to figure out the mechanism for the synthesis of Meldrum Acid. Meldrum acid is synthesis by a condensation reaction of acetone with malonic acid in acetic anhydride.
First, the carboxyl OH will be acetylated by acetic anhydride. But I can't figure out how the two ester bonds are being formed subsequently. I'm thinking that there's an acid-catalysed aldol condensation somewhere that results in the removing of water. Perhaps by attack of the enol (from acetone) to the acetylated carbon. But I'm not really sure about it either.
Any thoughts?