PRODUCTION OF 3-KETOBUTANOL BY REACTION OF ACETONE WITH AQUEOUS FORMALDEHYDE SOLUTION AT A TEMPERATURE ABOVE 210* UP TO 300*C. AT A SUPERATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE. METHYL VINYL KETONE (WHICH CAN BE POLYMERIZED TO HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT COMPOUNDS) IS PREPARED FROM 3-KETOBUTANOL BY ELIMINATION OF WATER IN THE PRESENCE OF ALUMINUM OXIDE.