Clariant S.a

Merial Limited

Nicolas Capelle

Jean-Claude Vallejos

Henri Arzoumanian

Preparation process for .alpha.,.beta.-dicarbonylated compounds of formula (I) ##STR1## in which R.sub.2 =alkyl, phenyl or benzyl being able to be substituted in various ways on the cycle, or carboxylic ester, and R.sub.3 =alkyl or alkoxy or carboxylic ester in which a compound of formula (II) ##STR2## in which R.sub.1 =alkyl, or alkyl .alpha.-ketocarboxylate or carboxylic ester, and R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 have the same meanings as previously is reacted in a nitrile type solvent, with molecular oxygen in the presence of copper.sup.II nitrate or ferric chloride as catalyst, and use for obtaining ethyl .alpha.-ketobutyrate, ethyl phenyl pyruvate, ethyl pyruvate, ethyl phenylglyoxylate, butane-2,3-dione or diethyl mesoxalate.

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Nimes, France

Nicolas Capelle