Synthesis and polymerization of methacroylacetone

The synthesis of a polymerizable β‐diketone, methacroylacetone, by the usual acylation of an ester by a ketone in the presence of sodium methoxide, is described. However, the reaction with acrylic and methacrylic ester yielded important amounts of secondary products, especially substituted cyclohexanediones; a reaction scheme is proposed, which proceeds through an intermediate MICHAEL addition. The monomeric diketone was polymerized and a high polymer (D. P. 235), was obtained which forms metal chelate complexes analogous to that of the monomer.