| Abstract: | Preparation of Branched Carboxylic Acids Free from Isomers A method for the preparation of branched saturated and unsaturated carboxylic acids, free from isomers, from tertiary γ-lactones by means of alkyl aluminium chlorides is reported. Saturated branched carboxylic acids were obtained in high yields by the reaction with ethyl aluminium chloride, whereas the reaction with diethyl aluminium chloride yielded the unsaturated acids. Splitting of lactones with mixtures of both the ethyl aluminium chlorides gave mixtures of saturated and unsaturated acids. The structure of the unsaturated carboxylic acid was determined by hydrogenation, ozonolysis, iodine value and gas chromatography. |
