Abstract: Process for the preparation of an aryloxyacetic acid/hydroxyethyl ether by oxidation of aryloxyethanol of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R either individually or independently of one another represents hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, cycloalkoxy, aryloxy, halogen, alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, carboxyl or nitro, or represents a benzene ring fused to the phenyl ring, in an aqueous alkaline reaction medium at a temperature in the range of 0.degree. C. to the boiling point of the reaction medium in the presence of a catalytic amount of a catalyst comprised of palladium, bismuth, and carbon in the presence of a phenol corresponding to the structure: ##STR2## wherein R is as described above and p is 0, 1 or 2, to form the corresponding alkali metal ester/hydroxyethyl ether after catalyst removal the alkali metal ester is contacted with a mineral acid.

Abstract: Alkylene or dialkyl ketal of an alpha-acetyl cinnamic acid or ester therof are obtained by reacting alpha-acetyl cinnamic acid or an ester thereof with a ketalizing agent selected from the group consisting of alkyl glycols, dialkyl detals and trialkyl orthoesters in the presence of the transition metal catalyst and an acid catalyst. Also, alkyl alpha-enol ethers of alpha-acetyl cinnamic acid are obtained by heating the alkylene or dialkyl ketals.

Abstract: 2-Naphtanoic acid or ester thereof is prepared by heating a compound selected from the group consisting of ketals and enol ethers or esters of an alpha-acetyl cinnamic acid or ester thereof at a temperature effective to cyclize the compound and form said 2-naphthanoic acid or ester thereof.

Abstract: An alkylene or dialkyl ketal of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.3 is halo, carboxy or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.12)alkyl, alkoxy, acyl, acyloxy, carbalkoxy or alkylthio.R.sup.1 is (C.sub.1 -C.sub.12)alkyl, (C.sub.6 -C.sub.20)aryl or (C.sub.7 -C.sub.21)alkylaryl or aralkyl; andR.sup.2 is (C.sub.1 -C.sub.12)alkyl or the two R.sup.2 taken together are (C.sub.2 -C.sub.12)alkylene.An alpha-enol ether of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 are as defined above and R.sup.2 is (C.sub.1 -C.sub.12)alkyl.