In the past several decades, there was much attention fixed on the synthesis of α-keto esters. Several routes were reported including oxidation of α-hydroxy esters with either PCC or Dess–Martin periodinane, 7, 7a and 7b Friedel–Crafts acylation, 8 oxidative cleavage of cyano keto phosphoranes, 9 hydrolysis and esterification of acyl cyanides, 4 the reaction of organometallic species with oxalic ester derivatives, 10 and acylation or alkylation of mono-substituted ...