METHOD OF PRODUCING METHYL ESTERS OF 2-ZETARYL-3-METHOXYACRYLIC ACID

Compounds having the general formula (I): and stereoisomers thereof, wherein A is the group =CW- or a nitrogen atom, B is the group =CX- or a nitrogen atom, D is the group =CY- or a nitrogen atom, and E is the group =CZ- or a nitrogen atom, wherein W, X, Y and Z, which may be the same or different, are hydrogen or halogen atoms, or nitro, nitrile, the group or any of the following, optionally substituted groups, namely alkyl, cycloalkyl, cyclalkylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, arylazo, alkoxy, heterocyclyloxy, aryloxy, amino, acylamino, or the groups CO2R , CONR R , COR or S(O)nR (where n = 0, 1 or 2) or CR = NR ; and wherein R , R , R , R , R , R , R and R , which may be the same or different, are hydrogen ( but R and R are not hydrogen) atoms or alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted aralkyl, cycloalkyl groups or optionally substituted heteroaromatic, whilst R may be alkyl, cycloalkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted aralkyl or cycloalkylalkyl; V can be either oxygen or sulphur.