Process of producing intermediates for use in production of alkoxyiminoacetamides and intermediates to be used therein

A process of producing an .alpha.-ketamide of the formula:

• ##STR15## wherein A is alkyl, unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl substituted by at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, halogenated alkyl, halogenated alkenyl, halogenated alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl and unsubstituted phenyl groups;
• Z is --CH.sub.2 --, --O--, --S--, --CH(OH)--, --CO--, --NR-- (wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl), --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, --CH.dbd.CH--, --CH.sub.2 O--, --CH.sub.2 S--, --CH.sub.2 S(O)--, --OCH.sub.2 --, --SCH.sub.2 --, --S(O)CH.sub.2 -- or epoxy;
• and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are identically or differently hydrogen, alkyl or cycloalkyl, the process comprising the steps of:
• reacting a halide of the formula:
• ##STR16## wherein A and Z are the same as described above and X is halogen, with magnesium;
• reacting the resultant reaction product with an oxalyl compound of the formula:
• (COE).sub.2 (II)
• wherein E is the same as described above, to form an .alpha.-keto acid halide of the formula:
• ##STR17## wherein A and Z are the same as described above and E is halogen;
• and reacting the .alpha.-keto acid halide with an amine of the formula:
• wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same as described above.