Preparation of 2-alkanoyloxyalkanoic acids

A method of preparing a 2-alkanoyloxyalkanoic acid which comprises contacting a nitroalkylnitrate or a nitroalcohol or mixtures thereof corresponding to the formula:

• ##STR5## where X is NO.sub.2 or hydrogen and where R is an alkyl group of from 1 to 50 carbon atoms with an alkanoic acid having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms in the presence of calcium oxide or a calcium carboxylate at a temperature of from above about 100.degree. C. and up to about 200.degree. C. employing mole ratios of nitroalkylnitrate or nitroalcohol to alkanoic acid of between 1:1 and 1:10.