3,3-Dimethylbutanal is prepared from 3,3-dimethylbutanol. Intermediate
3,3-dimethylbutanol is obtained by reacting ethylene, isopropylene and a
mineral acid to produce a 3,3-dimethylbutyl ester which is hydrolyzed to
the alcohol. The hydrolysis step is effectively carried out by reactive
distillation. Alternatively, 3,3-dimethylbutanal is prepared from
3,3-dimethylbutanol obtained by reduction of the corresponding carboxylic
acid or 1,2-epoxy-3,3-dimethylbutane, or by hydrolysis of
1-halo-3,3-dimethylbutane. Fixed bed gas phase and stirred tank liquid
phase processes are provided for converting 3,3-dimethylbutanol to
3,3-dimethylbutanal by catalytic dehydrogenation.
