Copper (1, II) 0-keto carboxylatesundergo a specific two-step decarboxylation. For example, the decarboxylation of copper (1) 1-oxocyclohexane-2-carboxylate (1) evolves C02 in a 50% yield in dimethylformamide (DMF) at 70" C. No further COz evolution beyond this 50% decarboxylation occurs at 70" C. At a higher temperature of 120 OC, the remaining 50% of the COz is released. This specific two-step decarboxylation of 1 results from the ...