Processes for preparing enol esters

A process for producing an enol ester having the following structure in a "trans" isomeric form:

• ##STR74## wherein R.sub.1 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.11 alkyl, and R.sub.4 is hydrogen or methyl comprising the step of reacting betaionone or a higher alkyl homologue thereof having the structure:
• ##STR75## with a peralkanoic acid or m-chloroperbenzoic acid having the formula:
• ##STR76## wherein R.sub.2 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or m-chlorophenyl at a temperature in the range of from -10.degree. C. up to about 75.degree. C. in the presence of
• i. A buffer selected from the group consisting of alkali metal salts of lower alkanoic acids and alkali metal carbonates;
• and
• ii. A solvent selected from the group consisting of methylene chloride, acetic acid, formic acid, propionic acid, benzene, cyclohexane, formamide and chloroform,
• and substantially in the absence of solvents reactive with (i) said peralkanoic acid or (ii) said m-chloroperbenzoic acid, thereby forming the said enol ester.