Abstract: Dialkyl succinylsuccinates are prepared in a pure form and in high yield by reacting an alkali metal alcoholate with an excess of dialkyl succinate under anhydrous conditions followed by isolation of the di(alkali metal) salt of the dialkyl succinylsuccinate and then neutralization of the salt with acid. The resulting dialkyl succinylsuccinate is isolated or used without isolation as an intermediate in the production of quinacridone pigments. The disclosed process provides for high yields and reduced organic waste compared with known processes.