| abstract |
A process for the preparation of a 2-methyl-1,3-dicarboxylate by reaction of a 1,3-dicarboxylate with formaldehyde and hydrogen, where, based on 1 mol of dicarboxylate, from 1.0 to 2.0 mol of formaldehyde are used, and either the reaction mixture or 2-hydroxymethyl-2-methyl-1,3-dicarboxylate isolated therefrom as by-product are subjected to thermolysis at temperatures of from 50° C. to 300° C. |