Cyclic acetals of ?-keto aldehydes and their use in synthesis of alkylnaphthalenes

Abstract

1. A general method was developed for the synthesis of cyclic acetals of β -keto aldehydes by reaction of β -chlorovinyl ketones with ethylene glycol in presence of alkaline agents. Yields of 50–85% were obtained. 2. It was shown that heating of open-chain β -keto acetals with ethylene glycol in presence of alkali results in transacetalization with formation of the corresponding cyclic acetals. 3. It was shown that the use of cyclic acetals for the synthesis of alkylnaphthalenes by the method that we developed previously [8] makes it possible to obtain these naphthalenes in higher yield.