One of the more useful transformations of glycidic esters concerns their conversion to aldehydes and ketones. Three methods for effecting this change have been in fairly general use. The first step in each of these methods is the saponification of the glycidic ester I to the corresponding alkali glycidate 11, a reaction which is best achieved by the procedure of C1aisen. l Hydrolysis with aqueous alkali results in the appearance of carbonyl ...
