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In the presence of alkoxide, the ester will undergo self-condensation to give a b-keto ester. On acidification, this will be converted to the b-keto acid, which will loose carbon dioxide to give the symmetrical ketone.
In the presence of alkoxide, the ester will undergo self-condensation to give a b-keto ester. On acidification, this will be converted to the b-keto acid, which will loose carbon dioxide to give the symmetrical ketone.