Process for the manufacture of alkenones

A process for preparing an alkenone corresponding to Formula (I):

• R1-C(O)—C(H)═C(H)—OR2 (I) wherein R1 is a fluorinated C1-C4 alkyl group or a CF3C(O)CH2 group, wherein R2 represents aryl, substituted aryl, or a C1-C10 alkyl group which is optionally substituted by at least one halogen atom, which comprises said process comprising:
• (a) reacting a carboxylic acid halide with a vinyl ether by introducing vinyl ether into a liquid reaction medium containing the carboxylic acid halide to form a halogenated precursor of the alkenone;
• and (b) eliminating hydrogen halide from said precursor to form the alkenone,
• wherein said carboxylic acid halide corresponds to Formula (II):
• R1-C(O)X (II) in which X represents fluorine, chlorine, or bromine, and
• wherein said vinyl ether corresponds to Formula (III):
• CH2═C(H)—OR2 (III) in which R2 has the same meaning as for Formula (I).