Process for the preparation of 4-alkoxyacetoacetic acid ester

Process for the production of a 4-alkoxyacetoacetic acid ester from a 4-chloroacetoacetic ester or 4-bromoacetoacetic ester consisting of (a) reacting a 4-chloroacetoacetic ester or 4-bromoacetoacetic ester with a highly concentrated solution of alkali alcoholate in aliphatic alcohol having been concentrated at an elevated temperature, at a temperature of 50.degree. to 120.degree. C., at least 2.8 mole of alkali alcoholate being present per mole of 4-chloroacetoacetic ester or 4-bromoacetoacetic ester, at least 7 moles of the alcohol being present per mole of the 4-chloroacetoacetic ester or 4-bromoacetoacetic ester, and 10 to about 40 weight percent of the alkali alcoholate being present based on the starting solution of reactants, whereby the 4-alkoxyacetoacetic acid ester results, the 4-alkoxyacetoacetic acid ester has the formula:

• ##STR3## wherein R and R.sub.2 are each alkyl, and R.sub.1 is H, alkyl or substituted alkyl, and (b) separating the 4-alkoxyacetoacetic acid ester from reaction mixture (a).