Process for the preparation of benzylpyruvic acids and their esters

摘要

Process for the preparation of benzylpyruvic acids and their esters of the general formula I <IMAGE> in which R represents hydrogen, an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic radical, X represents an inert substituent and n can denote 0 to 5, it being possible for the substituents X to be different if n > 1, by reacting alpha -hydroxy- beta , gamma -unsaturated carboxylic acids or their esters of the general formula II <IMAGE> in the presence of noble metals of Groups 8 to 10 of the Periodic Table to give I.