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Hydroxypivaldehyde

Hydroxypivaldehyde is the organic compound with the formula HOCH<sub>2</sub>(CH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>CCHO. A colorless liquid, it is produced by condensation of formaldehyde and isobutyraldehyde:

CH<sub>2</sub>O + (CH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>CHCHO → HOCH<sub>2</sub>(CH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>CCHO

The compound is a rare example of a distillable aldol (3-hydroxyaldehyde). Upon standing, it dimerizes reversibly to the dioxane derivative.

Applications

Hydroxypivaldehyde is a precursor to vitamin B5 as is practiced commercially.

Hydroxypivaldehyde is also a precursor to neopentyl glycol by hydrogenation:

HOCH<sub>2</sub>(CH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>CCHO + H<sub>2</sub> → (CH<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>C(CH<sub>2</sub>OH)<sub>2</sub>

References