A new approach to synthesis of β-ketoester derivatives was reported. As a key starting material in the synthesis of neuroprotective agents and HIV-1 RT inhibitors, Ethyl 3-oxo-(±)-6,7-di-O-isopropylidene-6,7-dihydroxyheptanoate (1) was conveniently synthe-sized from (±)-solketal and ethyl acetoacetate sodium salt through four steps of reactions. An attempt to prepare the target compound 1 by the reaction of tosylate solketal 2 and dianion of ethyl acetoacetate was unsuccessful. The structure of all compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and MS spectra.

Key words: -ketoester, synthesis, ethyl 3-oxo-(±)-6,7-di-O-isopropylidene-6,7-dihydroxyheptanoate, ethyl acetoacetate sodium salt, 