Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for preparing higher unsaturated ketones by reacting the corresponding &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated alcohols with alkyl acetoacetates in a Carroll reaction , in a reactor system with fitted fractionation column, wherein A the &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated alcohol is introduced into the reaction vessel together with the organic aluminum compound in the absence of effective amounts of a solvent, and the alkyl acetoacetate is metered into this mixture, B a reaction temperature which is as constant as possible at between 175° C. and 220° C., preferably between 180° C. and 200° C., is adjusted and C during the reaction the content of alkyl acetoacetate in the reaction mixture is adjusted to a value which is as constant as possible at between 1 and 3% by weight.

Abstract: A process for preparing .gamma.,.delta.-unsaturated ketones of the general formula I ##STR1## by reacting an allyl alcohol of the general formula II ##STR2## in which R.sup.1 is H or a hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, with diketene or an alkyl acetoacetate of the general formula III ##STR3## in which R.sup.2 is alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in an unmodified or modified Carroll reaction in the presence of an aluminum catalyst, wherein aluminum compounds which are stable liquids at room temperature, or a mixture of such aluminum compounds, which comprise at least one radical formed from an alkyl acetoacetate and 1 or 2 alkoxy radicals, or else comprise exclusively radicals formed from alkyl acetoacetates, which are esterified with sec-butanol or isobutanol, or else are esterified with at least two different alcohols, are used as aluminum catalyst.