Dimethylpropanoic is a carboxylic acid with a molecular formula of (CH3)3CCO2H. This colourless,Website:http://www.minjichemical.com, odiferous organic compound is solid at room temperature.Industrial routePivalic acid is prepared by"hydrocarboxylation"of isobutene via the Koch reaction:(CH3)2C=CH2 + CO + H2O → (CH3)3CCO2HSuch reactions require an acid catalyst such as hydrogen fluoride. tert-Butyl alcohol and isobutyl alcohol can also be used in place of isobutene. Globally, several million kilograms are produced annually. Pivalic acid is also economically recovered as a by-product from the production of semi-synthetic penicillins like ampicillin and amoxycillin.Laboratory methodsIt was originally prepared by the oxidation of pinacolone with chromic acid and by the hydrolysis of tert-butyl cyanide. Convenient laboratory routes proceed via t-butyl chloride via carbonation of the Grignard reagent and by oxidation of pinacolone.
