Abstract: .alpha.-Arylalkanoic acids or esters, orthoesters or amides thereof are prepared by forming an .alpha.-hydroxy ketal or thioketal of an aryl alkyl ketone, activating the .alpha.-hydroxy substituent with an esterifying agent to form the corresponding ketal or thioketal ester substrate, wherein the ester group is sufficiently labile to non-catalytically disassociate from the substrate in a protic or dipolar, aprotic solvent, maintaining the ester substrate in contact with the protic or dipolar, aprotic solvent or mixtures thereof for a time sufficient to form the corresponding .alpha.-arylakanoic acid or ester, orthoester or amide thereof, and optionally concomitantly or sequentially hydrolyzing any ester, orthoester or amide formed to the corresponding .alpha.-arylalkanoic acid.