[mirracle4]

I am almost done with my second semester of O-chem, but I'm having trouble figuring out this reaction...

https://flic.kr/p/sHnZJu

So, in the first step I'm pretty sure that the alkoxy ion deprotonates the alpha position of the ester, but in the second step acid is added. This is where I'm not too sure what happens. Can anyone please help?

[sjb]

I am almost done with my second semester of O-chem, but I'm having trouble figuring out this reaction...

https://flic.kr/p/sHnZJu

So, in the first step I'm pretty sure that the alkoxy ion deprotonates the alpha position of the ester, but in the second step acid is added. This is where I'm not too sure what happens. Can anyone please help?

The acid is just for work-up. Look up e.g. Claisen condensations