Keto-ester composition

Abstract

A process is described for the preparation of 6-alkyl-alpha-pyrones which comprises the steps of: I. acylating an alkyl-3-butenoate ester having the formula: ##SPC1## with an acylating agent having the formula: ##SPC2## In the presence of a Friedel-Crafts catalyst to produce a novel mixture of two ketoesters having the formulae: ##EQU1## ii. optionally separating said mixture into its individual keto-esters; III. CONTACTING SAID MIXTURE OF KETO-ESTERS OR ONE OF THE INDIVIDUAL COMPONENTS THEREOF WITH A SOLID, HEAT RESISTANT CATALYST SUCH AS COPPER, STAINLESS STEEL, NICKEL OR STONE AT A TEMPERATURE IN THE RANGE OF FROM ABOUT 450.degree.C up to about 600.degree.C, thereby forming a 6-alkyl-alpha-pyrone having the formula: ##SPC3## wherein R.sub.1 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, R.sub.2 is lower alkyl and X is chloro or bromo. Claimed herein is said mixture of keto-esters as well as each of the individual components thereof.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.