Several methods for the preparation of long-chain vicinal diketones are examined. The acyloincondensation, followed by oxidation, provides an excellent route to symmetrical compounds but is not satisfactory for unsymmetrical diketones. The latter are prepared (i) from dialkylacetylenes by semihydrogenation, hydroxylation, and oxidation with aqueous N-bromosuccinimide; and (ii) from an α-acetoxy-acid