PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF ALCOXYMETHYLENE COMPOUNDS OF ESTERS OF ACETIC ACID AND SUBSTITUTED ACETIC ACID

Disclosed is a method for preparation of alkoxymethylene compounds, especially methoxymethylene compounds, from substituted or unsubstituted acetic acid alkyl esters, especially methyl esters, from the corresponding hydroxymethylene compounds or their alkali salts, by reaction with excess alkanol, especially methanol, in the presence of HCl and a water-binding agent. Preferred are water-binding agents which form stable reaction products with water.