Abstract
A comparative study of the reactivity of the
α-methylene groups of various types of ketones towards
nitrous acid has been carried out and an attempt made
to explain the results so obtained on a basis of the
electronic arrangement of the compounds concerned.
A number of α-diketones have been prepared by
hydrolysis of the isonitroso- ketones (monoximes of
diketones) by means of nitrous acid. One new diketone,
acetyl valeryl was isolated and several derivatives
were prepared.
Diphenyl triketone was prepared in excellent yield
by hydrolysis of isonitroso dibenzoyl methane with nitrous acid.
An attempt to prepare ninhydrin by hydrolysis of
the ß-oxime of 1:3 diketohydrindene with nitrous acid
was unsuccessful the oxime being disrupted to give
phthalic acid.
