3-Methyltetrahydrofuran → Methyl 3-carbamoylisobutyrate

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Reaction Steps

A process for producing 3-methyltetrahydrofuran, wherein in a first step, prussic acid is reacted with methyl methacrylate to produce methyl 3-cyanoisobutyrate. The methyl 3-cyanoisobutyrate is then reacted with water and sulfuric acid to produce a resultant product which is reacted with a C1 -C8 aliphatic alcohol to produce a methylsuccinic acid ester. The methylsuccinic acid ester is catalytically hydrogenated to prepare the 3-methyltetrahydrofuran. Alternatively, the methyl 3-cyanoisobutyrate is hydrated to produce methyl 3-carbamoylisobutyrate, which is then reacted with a formic acid ester to form a methylsuccinic acid ester and formamide and the resultant methylsuccinic acid ester is catalytically hydrogenated. The 3-methyltetrahydrofuran is produced in high selectivity and in a commercially advantageous manner from inexpensive reactants. The 3-methyltetrahydrofuran is useful as a commoner for producing polyether glycol, which is utilized as starting raw material for preparing spandex fiber.

Provenance & Evidence