Regarding the SynGen proposed syntheses of lysergic acid from abrine, I presume "E" stands for "ester"?
In route G6, they condense 2,3-dihalopropionic acid and a methyl ester.
http://syngen2.chem.brandeis.edu/sample-output/lysergic_G6.html (http://syngen2.chem.brandeis.edu/sample-output/lysergic_G6.html)
For example with methyl acetate, I guess the product should then be 2-(acetoxymethyl)-3-halopropionic acid.
Can anyone tell me which reaction would substitute a halo group with the methyl group of a methyl ester in this manner?