Synthesis of carboxylic acid derivatives under acid catalysis conditions from carbon monoxide, olefins, and compounds capable of acylation

Abstract

1. A study was made of the reaction for the carbonylation of n-amyl alcohol and isoamyl alcohol using carbon monoxide under pressure in the presence of BF3 hydrates of variable composition. 2. The most active and selective catalyst is BF3·2H2O, in the presence of which, under the optimum conditions (100° and 100 atm of CO), are respectively formed the n-amyl and isoamyl esters ofα,α-dimethylbutyric acid in a yield of 73.6 and 90.3%. 3. A homogeneous reaction mixture is obtained in the presence of BF3·H2O, which separates into layers of the catalyst and reaction products only when water is added. In the presence of the other BF3 hydrates such separation into layers occurs without the addition of water.