Addition of Organic Acids to Propene

Isopropyl acetate is produced by the catalytic vapor-phase addition of acetic acid to propylene. A high yield of the ester can be realized (about 99%)  

Isopropyl acetate is used as a solvent for coatings and printing inks. It is generally interchangeable with methylethyl ketone and ethyl acetate. 

Isopropyl acrylate is produced by an acid catalyzed addition reaction of acrylic acid to propylene. The reaction occurs in the liquid phase at about100°C  

The catalytic hydroformylation of olefins is discussed in Chapter 5. The reaction of propylene with CO and H2 produces n-butyraldehyde as the main product. Isobutyraldehyde is a by-product ° 

Butyraldehydes are usually hydrogenated to the corresponding alcohols. They are also intermediates for other chemicals. The following reviews some of the important chemicals based on hutyraldehydes. 

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