Process for the manufacture of oxygenates

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 alpha-hydroxy-ketone with the carbonyl group protected. The last-mentioned compounds are valuable sources for other functional organic molecules, for example lactic acid.