Preparation of alpha, beta-unsaturated enones

A process for preparing an alpha, beta-unsaturated enone of Formula I ##STR6## which comprises oxidizing a silyl enol ether of Formula II ##STR7## with a radical intermediate generated by metal catalyst decomposition of a peroxide in the presence of a halogenated solvent or acetonitrile, at a temperature of -10.degree. to 60.degree. C., and where said metal catalyst is selected from the group of metal salts consisting of cuprous, cupric, manganese, nickel, cesium and chromium or hydrates thereof wherein R is selected from the group consisting of (C.sub.1 -C.sub.8) alkyl, phenyl, and substituted phenyl;

• R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of triethylsilyl, trimethylsiyl, triphenylsilyl and diphenylmethylsilyl;
• and where the ratio of said peroxide to enol ether is 0.01 to 3 equivalents peroxide to 1 equivalent enol ether with the proviso that the peroxide used cannot be hydrogen peroxide.