Compounds XXXIII, XXXIV and XXXV were all prepared from compound I. The ester interchange observed in preparing compound XXXIV is not unusual when a-esters are treated with strong base. loa A corresponding change when esterification takes place under the influence of an acid catalyst is rare. The melting point of the triethyl ester, XXXV, is so low, 45-46', as to render the substance undesirable for preparational purposes. This is the ...