ABSTRACT Reaction of 1-(ethoxycarbonylacetyl)cyclohepta-1,3,5-triene (1) with acetic anhydride in the presence of sodium acetate gave 1,3-diacetoxy-2-acetylazulene (2) in 26% yield. On the other hand, a similar reaction in the presence of sodium acetate and aluminium chloride provided 1-acetoxy-2-acetyl-3-methylazulene (5) as a major product in 19% yield, accompanied with a 9% yield of 2.