| abstract |
alpha , beta -Unsaturated ketones of the general formula I <IMAGE> (I) where R is an organic radical, are prepared by reacting a corresponding aldehyde R-CHO with acetoacetic acid or one of its salts in the presence of an amine in a two-phase reaction mixture by a process in which the reaction is carried out at a pH of from 6 to 8 in the presence of a catalytic amount of a primary amine. |