INTRODUCTION. 



In the following work the articles were abstracted with reference 

 to the subject of the bibliography, consequently some articles were 

 abstracted only in part ; that is, omitting what had no relation to 

 acetoacetic ester. The word " ester " has been used to mean an acid 

 in which the carboxylic hydrogen has been replaced by an alkyl radi- 

 cal, and where the alkyl radical is not specified, ethyl is understood. 



The bibliography is arranged in chronological order, with author 

 and subject indices appended. 



All references given were verified, except where otherwise stated. 



The reference given first in each case is the original publication, the 

 others are reprints or abstracts. 



The literature on the subject begins in 1840. 



I wish to express ni}' gratitude to Professors Prescott and Freer for 



direction and aid in the work. 



Paul H. Seymour. 



University of Michigan, 

 June II, 1892. 



