A new and simple method for the preparation or α-keto acids (4) is described. Treatment of the readily available trimethylsilyl 2,3-bis (trimethylsiloxyl carboxylates) 1 with trifluoroacetic anhydride under the catalysis of 4-N,N- dimethylamionopyridin in dichlorethane yields triment hylsilyl 2,3-bis (trifluoroacetoxyl) carboxylates (2). Pyridine is added in the reaction mixture to yield 2-trifluoroacetoxyl 2- alkenoic acids (3). Treating 3 subsequently with aqueous potassium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid affords 4.

Key words: FLUORINE COMPOUNDS, KETONE ACID, ACETIC ANHYDRIDE, ELIMINATE