PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF TETRONIC ACID

摘要

Process for the production of tetronic acid from 4-haloacetoacetic ester which begins by converting a 4-haloacetoacetic ester into the corresponding 4-benzyloxyacetoacetic ester. The 4-benzyl ester is then hydrogenolyzed into an intermediate product. The 4-hydroxyacetoacetic ester is converted by treatment with acid into tetronic acid. The 4-hydroxyacetoacetic ester can be isolated before conversion. The 4-benzyloxyacetoacetic ester can be produced by conversion of the 4-haloacetoacetic ester with a metal salt of benzyl alcohol. The hydrogenolysis can be carried out in the presence of an acid, whereby the 4-hydroxyacetoacetic ester forming in situ is rearranged directly into tetronic acid. The hydrogenolysis can be carried out under pressure in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst.