Patent ID: 8440865

Claim:
A process for preparing an alkenone, which comprises the following steps: (a) providing a halogenated precursor of the alkenone, wherein the halogenated precursor of the alkenone corresponding to Formula (I): R1-C(O)—CH2-CH(X)—OR2 (I) wherein X represents fluorine, chlorine or bromine; wherein R1 is a fluorinated C1-C4 alkyl group or R1 represents CF3C(O)CH2; and wherein R2 represents aryl, substituted aryl, or a C1-C10 alkyl group which is optionally substituted by at least one halogen atom is prepared by reaction of an acid halide corresponding to Formula (II): R1-C(O)X (II) in which X and R1 has the same meaning as in Formula (I), is reacted with a vinyl ether corresponding to Formula (III): CH2=C(H)—OR2 (III) in which R2 has the same meaning as in Formula (I); and (b) eliminating the hydrogen halide from said precursor to form the alkenone by a thermolysis treatment selected from the group consisting of a thermolysis carried out at a temperature from greater than 90° C. to 120° C., a flash thermolysis, vacuum thermolysis carried out at a temperature from 60° C. to 140° C., and thermolysis under stripping with inert gas.