| abstract |
Process for the preparation of cyclohexane-1,3-diones of the formula ##SPC1## n Wherein R 1 -R 8 , which are the same or different, are each hydrogen or an alkyl group containing up to 6 carbon atoms and the total number of carbon atoms of R 1 -R 8 is not more than 12 carbon atoms, comprising contacting in the gaseous state a delta-keto ester of the formula ##EQU1## wherein R 1 -R 8 are as defined above and R 9 is an alkyl, cycloalkyl, or monocyclic or bicyclic arylalkyl or aryl group containing up to 12 carbon atoms, with a thermally stable solid material having an internal surface area of from about 100 tot 1500 m 2 /gm. at a temperature of from 100 °C to 500 °C. |