| abstract |
A novel process for preparing 2-cyclopentenones of the formula: <IMAGE> (V) wherein R1 is hydrogen, alkyl or alkenyl and R2 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or aralkyl, which comprises esterifying a mixture of a 3-hydroxy-4-cyclopentenone of the formula: <IMAGE> (II) wherein R1 and R2 are each as defined above and a 4-hydroxy-2-cyclopentenone of the formulas: <IMAGE> (III) wherein R1 and R2 are each as defined above with an aliphatic carboxylic acid to give a mixture of the 4-hydroxy-2-cyclopentenone (III) and the cyclopentenone ester of the formula: <IMAGE> (IV) wherein R1 and R2 are each as defined above and R is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl and subjecting the resulting mixture to reduction. |