ABSTRACT
Diketene is an acetic acid derivative that is produced by dimerization of the ketene obtained from the pyrolysis of acetic anhydride or acetic acid [Eq. (1)]. Although it has no direct uses, the highly reactive diketene molecule is a valuable synthetic intermediate that is used to produce acetoacetic acid derivatives and heterocyclic compounds that find application in dyestuffs, agrichemicals, pharmaceuticals, and polymer intermediates.
