Verfahren der katalytischen Spaltung von Lactonen

摘要

The invention relates to a method for the decomposition of lactones which optionally have functional groups into carboxylic acids by catalytically reacting the corresponding lactone with hydrogen by using a compound of a metal of group VIII of the periodic system that is modified with organophosphins. The inventive method is preferably carried out in a two-phase system by means of catalysts that have water-soluble phosphin ligands. The reaction is especially suitable for dissociating 2-ethylidene-6-heptene-5-olide to give 2-ethylidene-6-heptene carboxylic acid or the isomers thereof. Said carboxylic acid can be hydrated to 2-ethylheptanoic acid in a conventional manner.