The synth on rhodiums page calls for 3-chloroproprionic acid in the nitroethane synth. The price on 2-chloroproprionic acid is WAY lower, so swim was wondering if it could be substituted? The bromo-variant uses this position and the final product will be the same no matter where the halogen is positioned. Is there some reason why 2-chloro-proprionic acid would not work? Chloro is a poor'er leaving group than bromo, but is that sufficient to make the exchange fail?
Thanks
Regards
Bandil