Abstract By reaction with sodium acetate in hot glacial acetic acid, 2, 2-dibromodimedone (VII) is transformed into a mixture of 2-bromo-4, 4-dimethyl-2-cyclopentenone (IX), 2, 3- dibromo-4, 4-dimethyl-2-cyclopentenone (X), 3-acetoxy-2-bromo-5, 5-dimethyl-2- cyclohexenone (XI), 2-bromodimedone (VIII), 2, 4-dibromodimedone (XIII) and 3-bromo-6, 6- dimethyl-l, 2, 4-cyclohexanetrione (XII).