Process for production of .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated ketones

A process for producing an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated ketone of the general formula ##STR21## wherein R.sub.1 represents an alkyl or alkylene group, R.sub.2 represents an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkylene, alkoxycarbonyl, alkeneoxycarbonyl, alkoxyalkyl or alkoxycarbonylalkyl group, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl or alkylene group, and R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 may be linear or may form a ring when taken together in arbitrary combinations,

• which comprises contacting an .alpha.-disubstituted-.beta.-keto acid ester of the general formula ##STR22## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are as defined, and R.sub.5, R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, said .alpha.-disubstituted-.beta.-keto acid ester being an ester formed between a keto acid having not more than 20 carbon atoms and an allylic alcohol having not more than 6 carbon atoms, with a catalyst consisting essentially of (a) a palladium compound and (b) an .alpha.,.omega.-C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkylenedi(di-alkyl or phenyl-substituted)phosphine.