Patent ID: 7049458

Claim:
A process for producing a β-ketonitrile compound having the formula (3): in which R 1 represents an aliphatic group which comprises the steps of: (A) reacting an aliphatic carboxylic acid ester compound having the formula (1): in which R 1 has the same meaning as above, and R 2 is a hydrocarbyl group, with acetonitrile in the presence of a metal alkoxide having a metal atom of X to give a reaction mixture containing a metal salt of a β-ketonitrile compound having the formula (2): in which R 1 and X have the same meanings as above; (B) adding a water-immiscible organic solvent and water to the reaction mixture, mixing them, and separating the aqueous solution containing the metal salt of β-ketonitrile compound; and (C) neutralizing the aqueous solution containing the metal salt of β-ketonitrile compound by addition of an acid and extracting a free β-ketonitrile compound with an organic solvent.