3-Acetoxy-cyclo:butanone prodn

In the prepn. of the new cpd. 3-acetoxy-cyclobutanone (I) 3-acetoxycyclobutenone (II) or a (II)-contg. mixt. is hydrogenated using a hydrogenation catalyst at -10 to +30 degrees C and 0-20 atm. (gauge), and (I) is isolated fom the reaction mixt. by distn.(I) is an intermediate for insecticides, pesticides, nematocides or fungicides. (II) can be prepd. by cycloaddition of ketene to ethoxyacetylene and hydrolysis and acetylation of the product.In an example the hydrogenation of crude (II) over 5% Pd-C at 0 degree C/atmospheric press. gives, after distn., (I) contg. traces of beta-butyrolactone (due to diketene in the ketene used for preparing the starting material).