PRODUCTION OF BETA-HYDROXYISOBUTYRATE

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain the subject compound in high yield and industrially in high productivity by reduction of anα-hydroxymethylacrylic ester using a catalyst in the presence of a basic compound in the reaction system to supress side reactions. SOLUTION: This compound of formula II is obtained by reduction of anα-hydroxymethylacrylic ester of formula I (R is a 1-5C straight-chain or branched alkyl) in the presence of a catalyst (e.g. a palladium catalyst) and a basic compound (e.g. potassium carbonate). The reduction is preferably performed in the presence of 0.001-1 pt.wt. catalyst and 0.01-10 pts.wt. basic compound based on 100 pts.wt. raw material. High conversion is achieved in the reduction preferably at the atmospheric to 1,000 kPa hydrogen pressure and at room temperature to 50 deg.C. The compound of formula I is obtained e.g. by reaction of an acrylic ester with formalin in the presence of a basic catalyst.