| abstract |
The present invention relates to a method of contacting an amine salt catalyst with a dicarbonyl compound having an alkylene group between the carbonyl group; adding formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, or formalin in an amount of from about 2: 1 to about 3: 1 moles of formaldehyde in moles of the dicarbonyl compound to form a mixture; and proceed to reflux the mixture. The process forms a carbonyl-substituted alkene. The process can be carried out in the absence of solvent. The process can form methylene malonates, methylene dimalonates, methylene ketomalonamides, methylene diketones, methylene keto esters and the like. |