Abstract: 2-Aza-4-(alkoxycarbonyl)spiro[4,5]-decan-3-one and a process for the production of it, starting either from cyclohexylidene malonic acid esters or cyclohexylidene cyanoalkylates. The cyclohexylidene malonic acid ester is reacted with hydrocyanic acid in the presence of a catalytic amount of alkali cyanide or with a stoichiometric amount of alkali cyanide, in an alcohol, and subsequently treated with an acid. The resultant (1-cyanocyclohexyl) malonic acid dialkyl ester is converted by catalytic hydrogenation into the product. The cyclohexylidene cyanoalkylate is reacted with a stoichiometric amount of alkali cyanide, in an alcohol or with hydrocyanic acid in the presence of a catalytic amount of an alkali cyanide. The resultant (1-cyanocyclohexyl)-cyanoacetic acid alkyl ester is reacted in an alcohol in an acid to provide (1-cyanocyclohexyl) malonic acid dialkyl ester. The later ester is converted by catalytic hydrogenation into the product.

Abstract: Process for the production of 4-substituted acetoacetic acid derivatives. An acetoacetic acid derivative having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is alkoxy having 1 to 6 C atoms, phenoxy, --NR'.sub.2, wherein R' is alkyl having 1 to 6 C atoms or aryl, or NR'.sub.2, which is azetidine, pyrrolidine or piperidine, is treated with a secondary amine at an elevated temperature and in the presence of an organic solvent. The water formed is separated. The intermediate is converted into the corresponding 3-enamine carboxylic acid derivative. The derivative is converted by treatment with sodium amide in liquid ammonia into the corresponding sodium salt. The sodium salt is converted by treatment with a halogen compound having the formula R.sub.1 CH.sub.2 X or R.sub.1 R.sub.2 CHX, wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each are alkyl, alkenyl, alkinyl or aryl and X is chlorine, bromine or iodide, into the corresponding 4-substituted enamino derivative. The derivative is hydrolyzed into the 4-substituted acetoacetic acid derivative.