Process for the production of compounds containing aldimine or ketimine groups and the compounds obtained by this process

An organic compound containing aldimine or ketimine groups which corresponds to the formula ##STR5## and is prepared by a process which comprises reacting an organic compound containing .beta.-ketoester groups and corresponding to the formula ##STR6## with 0.75 to 1.0 mole, per mole of ketoester groups, of a bis-aldimine or bis-ketimine corresponding to the formula ##STR7## wherein Q is an n-functional residue obtained by removing the hydroxyl groups from an n-functional polyhydroxyl compound containing primary and/or secondary hydroxyl groups and having a molecular weight of 62 to 15,000,

• R.sub.1 is hydrogen or is attached to R.sub.2 by a C--C bond and with R.sub.2 forms a tri- or tetramethylene group,
• R.sub.2 is a methyl or ethyl group or is attached to R.sub.1 by a C--C bond and with R.sub.1 forms a tri- or tetramethylene group,
• R.sub.3 is a C.sub.1-9 alkyl radical or, together with the carbon atom and the substituent R.sub.4, forms a cycloaliphatic ring containing 5 or 6 ring members,
• R.sub.4 is a C.sub.1-9 alkyl radical or, together with the carbon atom and the substituent R.sub.3, forms a cycloaliphatic ring containing 5 or 6 ring members,
• R.sub.5 is a (cyclo)aliphatic C.sub.2-15 hydrocarbon radical and
• n is a number from 2 to 15,
• at a temperature of 0.degree. to 80.degree. C. in the presence of a catalytic quantity of water with elimination of aldehyde or ketone in a quantity equivalent to the quantity of ketoester groups.