The rate-determining step in the oxidation of 2-substituted acetoacetate esters such as 10b by M~(OAC)~-ZH~ O is the loss of a proton from the lob-Mn (II1) complex 17b to form 18b. The rate-determining step in the oxidation of 2-unsubstituted acetoacetate esters such as 10a by M~(OAC)~-~ H~ O in the presence of an alkene is the oxidation of Mn (II1)-loa- alkene complex 20a to give the addition product 21a. In the absence of alkene, a much ...