1) 2-(Dimethylaminomethyl)-3-ketobutane-1-carboxylic acid hydrochloride (VI) as well as 5- dimethylamino-3-ketopentane-1-carboxylic acid hydrochloride (I) has been obtained from levulinic acid, paraformaldehyde and dimethylamine hydrochloride by means of the Mannich reaction. Thermal degradation of I and VI afforded δ-methylenelevulinic acid (IV) and β-methylenelevulinic acid (VII), respectively. 2) 3-(Dimethylaminomethyl)-4- ...