| abstract |
In the prodn. of pinacolone, a cpd. of formula (I): (where one pair of adjacent residues A, B, C and D form a C-C bond and the other two residues are H; or A and D are H, one of B and C is H, and the other of B and C is OH, Cl, Br, HSO4, H2PO4 or ClO4) is reacted with formaldehyde in the presence of an aq. soln. of a strong inorganic acid with the addn. of a salt of a strong inorganic acid which is at least partially soluble in the reaction system. Pinacolone (tert-butyl methyl ketone) is useful as a solvent and as an intermediate for agricultural chemicals and rubber chemicals. Addn. of a salt of a strong inorganic acid to the reaction system allows the acid concn. to be reduced without adversely affecting the pinacolone yield. |