PRODUCTION OF 3-OXO-alpha-IONYL ALKYL ESTER

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain the subject compound in a high yield by oxidizing an α-ionyl alkyl ester with oxygen or a gas containing oxygen in the presence of an organic acid salt or a complex of a metal belonging to the VIII group of the Periodic Table in an inert solvent. SOLUTION: This objective compound of formula II is obtained by oxidizing (A) an α-ionyl alkyl ester of formula I (R is a 1-5C alkyl) (e.g.; α-ionyl acetate, α-ionyl propionate) in (B) an inert organic solvent (e.g.; benzene, ethanol) in the presence of (C) an organic acid salt or a complex of a metal belonging to the VIII group of the Periodic Table (e.g.; ferric acetate, ferric propionate, ruthenium acetate, iridium acetylacetonate) by (D) oxygen or a gas containing oxygen at preferably a room temperature to 150 deg.C for 3-20 hr. In the above reaction, it is preferable to use 1-100 fold wt. component B and 0.1-10 wt.% component C based on the component A.