The epoxy ester (IIb), on treatment with alcoholic potassiuni hydroxide, gave a potassium salt of 2-carboxy-2, 3-epoxycaproic acid. The epoxy acid produced by acidification of the salt was decarboxylated on heating in an oil bath, giving 2-oxocaproic acid, identical (physical constants, infrared spectrum, and oxime derivative) with the compound prepared previously from a-oxocaproande.
