Rearrangement of alpha-halo-alkylarylketals in neutral or weakly alkaline conditions and in the presence of a polar-protic medium and subsequent hydrolysis of the thus obtained esters, in the same reaction medium, to afford the corresponding alpha-arylalkanoic acids or their salts which are particularly useful as anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic agents.
This invention relates to a process for preparing an alpha-arylalkanoic acid or salt thereof which comprises the rearrangement of an alpha-halo-alkylarylketal in neutral or slightly alkaline conditions, in the presence of a dipolar aprotic diluent and of a protic substance having a high dielectric constant, and the subsequent hydrolysis of the thus obtained ester.