AbstractThe results of a preliminary investigation on the action of ethyl diazoacetate on 1‐butoxybutane, 1‐methoxyheptane, and a series of arylalkyl ethers are described.In every case but one, in addition to other processes, a remarkable reaction was observed, yielding the alkoxy or aryloxy derivatives of ethyl acetate.Ethyl phenoxyacetate was formed by the action of the reagent on methoxy‐, ethoxy‐, propoxy‐ as well as isopropoxybenzene; 1,2‐, 1,3‐, and 1,4‐dimethoxybenzene gave ethyl 2‐, 3‐, and 4‐methoxyphenoxyacetate respectively.1‐Methoxynaphthalene yielded ethyl 1‐naphthoxyacetate, but 2‐methoxynaphthalene was not converted into 2‐naphthoxyacetate, ethyl 1‐(2‐methoxynaphthyl) acetate being the chief reaction product.The mixture formed during the action of diazoacetic ester on 1‐methoxyheptane contained the ethyl esters of both heptoxy‐ and methoxyacetic acid.We have started a more extensive investigation on the reaction of ethyl diazoacetate and 1‐butoxybutane. In this case the fate of the alkyl radical expelled during the formation of the alkoxyacetic ester was revealed, since we iso