Prepn of alpha-acetyl-gamma butyrolactone

The present invention relates to high purity efficiently producing α- -γ- acetyl-butyrolactone and by-product inhibition. Which the presence of base metal components, in an alcoholic solvent, acetoacetate and ethylene oxide, to obtain α- -γ- acetyl-butyrolactone, in which method, for use acetoacetate 1.01 to 1.1 equivalents of ethylene oxide and 0.8 to 1.2 equivalents of alkali metal components, to manufacture a high purity α- -γ- acetyl-butyrolactone.