Diketone generators

2-keto-3,3-dibutanoyloxybutane.

2-keto-3,3-diacetyloxybutane.

2-keto-3,3-distearoyloxybutane.

3-keto-2,2-diacetyloxypentane

A method of imparting or enhancing the effect of a vicinal diketone in a foodstuff of which said vicinal diketone forms an essential element of the flavor or aroma, which method comprises incorporating into said foodstuff, prior to cooking, about 1 to 2000 ppm by weight of an alpha-keto diacyloxy compound having the structural formula ##STR4## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are methyl radicals or one of them is a methyl radical and the other is an ethyl radical and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are the same or different C.sub.1 to C.sub.18 alkyl radicals, whereby said vicinal diketone is generated substantially continuously during the cooking cycle.

A method of enhancing the effect of a vicinal diketone in baked goods, which method comprises incorporating into said baked goods, prior to baking, about 1 to 2000 ppm of an alpha-keto diacyloxy compound having the structural formula ##STR5## where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are methyl radicals or one of them is a methyl radical and one of them is an ethyl radical and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are the same or different C.sub.1 to C.sub.18 alkyl radicals, whereby said vicinal diketone is generated substantially continuously during the cooking cycle.