Preparation of low-solvent alkyl diketenes

Abstract

A process for the preparation of low-solvent alkyl diketenes of the general formula: ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 denotes C.sub.10 -C.sub.30 alkyl or C.sub.10 -C.sub.30 alkenyl and R.sup.2 denotes hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl, by causing carboxylic chlorides of the formula II ##STR2## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 have the aforementioned meanings, to react with tertiary amines of the formula III ##STR3## in which R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 denote C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl or C.sub.3 -C.sub.12 cycloalkyl and R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 together denote a C.sub.2 -C.sub.11 alkylene dichain optionally interrupted by oxygen or nitrogen, in a substantially water-immiscible, inert solvent, wherein distillation is carried out at temperatures ranging from 80.degree. to 130.degree. C. and pressures ranging from 10 to 500 mbar and subsequently with the addition of water or steam.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.