PURPOSE: To prepare ketones in high yield without side reactions, by hydrolyzing vinyl halides as a raw material in the presence of salts of the II group metals of periodic table.

CONSTITUTION: Ketones of formula II are prepared by mixing vinyl halides of formula I (R1 and R2 are hydrocarbon residue which may have substituents; X is halogen), e.g. 2-(3-chloro-2-butenyl)cyclohexanone, and salts, such as acetic acid salts or trifluoroacetic acid salts, of the II group metals of periodic table, such as Zn or Cd, at 0W50°C for 5 min.-several days, and hydrolyzing the mixture with acids, alkalis, etc. by conventional method. Formic acid, nitromethane, etc. is preferable as a solvent. The amount of salts of the II group metals of periodic table is usually 1W2 moles to 1 mole of vinyl halides.

USE: Extremely useful in the syntheses of various steroids and terpenes.