摘要 |
The invention comprises threo- and erythro-2-methylpentane-2,3,4-triols and a general process for making 2-methylpentane-2,3,4-triol by hydrolysing 3,4-epoxy-4-methylpentanol-2 or 3,4 epoxy - 2 - methylpentanol - 2. The threo - triol is obtained by hydrolysing cis-3,4-epoxy-2-methylpentanol-2 or threo-3,4-epoxy-4-methylpentanol-2 and the erythro-triol by hydrolysing trans-3,4-epoxy-2-methylpentanol-2 or erythro-3,4 - epoxy - 4 - methylpentanol - 2. The hydrolysis may be effected using acidic or basic catalysts, e.g. mineral acids, NaOH, or by heating with water at 140-180 DEG C. in an autoclave. Examples are provided. |