Sodium Hydroxide → (2E)-2-Propyl-2-pentenoic acid

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Reaction Steps

10 g of 2-propyl-2-pentenoic acid ethyl ester according to Example 1 are added to a solution of 20 g of sodium hydroxide in 150 ml of methanol and left stand at room temperature. After 5 days and accompanied by the recovery of the methanol, the mixture is worked up in conventional manner following acidification. A mixture of 2-propyl-2-pentenoic acid (E-isomer) and 2-propyl-3-pentenoic acid (E-isomer) in a ratio of approximately 80:20 is obtained in an almost quantitative yield, which is separated by precision distillation on an effective column and gives E-2-propyl-2-pentenoic acid with b.p.15 135° to 136° C.

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