KINETIC SCHEME OF HOMOGENEOUS ACID-CATALYZED TRANSFORMATION OF ISOPENTENOLS

The reactions occurring in an equilibrium mixture of 3-methyl-1-buten- 3-ol and 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol in 24-49% aqueous solutions of H2SO4 yi eld isoprene, 3-methyl-3-buten-1-ol, isobutylene, formaldehyde, 3-meth ylbutane-1,3-diol. Isobutylene is rapidly hydrated to give 2-methylpro pan-2-ol. The presence of formaldehyde in the reaction mixture indicat es that the transformations involve the reverse Prins reaction. On the basis of experimental and literature data, two most probable reaction schemes were suggested.