PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ALPHA-HYDROXYCARBONYL COMPOUNDS

摘要

alpha -Hydroxycarbonyl compounds are obtained from aldehydes or ketones by forming an acetal or ketal which is decomposed to a vinyl ether. The ether is selectively oxidized under conditions yielding an alpha -hydroxy-aldehyde or -ketone with the carbonyl group protected. The last-mentioned compounds are valuable sources for other functional organic molecules, for example lactic acid.