FACILE SYNTHESIS OF BETA-KETO-ESTERS FROM METHYL ACETOACETATE AND ACID CHLORIDE - THE BARIUM OXIDE METHANOL SYSTEM

The synthesis of beta-keto esters has been performed in good yield by reacting excess methyl acetoacetate with barium oxide, acylating the r esulting barium complex with acid chloride, and then cleaving the alph a-acyl beta-keto ester with methanol at a mild temperature, Using this new procedure, various beta-keto esters were prepared. Thus, methyl 4 -phenyl-3-oxobutanoate, methyl 3-phenyl-3-oxopropionate, methyl 4-cycl ohexyl-3-oxobutanoate, and methyl 3-orcooctadecanoate were prepared fr om methyl acetoacetate and the corresponding acid chloride in 69%, 84% , 67%, and 74% yields, respectively.