Chemistry of acetylenic ethers XXXII. Formation of 1,3‐dialkyl‐2‐ethoxy‐<i>cyclo</i>but‐2‐ene‐4‐ones from ethyl 1‐alkynyl ethers

Abstract

Abstract On heating, ethylene is eliminated from an ethyl 1‐alkynyl ether; the product formed in good yield is a 1,3‐dialkyl‐2‐ethoxy‐ cyclo but‐2‐ene‐4‐one. The ethoxy group can easily be saponified and the resulting product is a dimer of an alkyl ketene. Other reactions are summarised in scheme B.