Summary The reaction between substituted glyoxals of the type R'COCHO and salts of substituted acetoacetic acids of the type RCHzCOCH2COOH, yields 2-hydroxy-l, 4- diketonesJ which cyclize upon treatment with alkali to 2, 3-disubstituted-4-hydroxy-2- cyclopenten-1-ones. The chrysanthe-mum monocarboxylic acid esters of certain of these cyclopentenolones exceed the pyrethrins in insecticidal activity to house flies.