Abstract: An improvement in a process for the preparation of a pinacol of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are identical or different and represent optionally substituted aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, araliphatic or an aromatic hydrocarbon radical by reducing a ketone of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 have the abovementioned meanings with a base metal, the improvement comprising carrying out the reduction in the presence of an organic halogen compound and in the presence of a phosphoric acid amide, phosphoric acid ester and/or carboxylic acid amide.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 3, 1978
Date of Patent:
August 7, 1979
Assignee:
Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
Inventors:
Heinrich Wolfers, Hans Rudolph, Hans-Jurgen Rosenkranz
Abstract: A synthesis of 2,6,10-trimethyl-undecan-1-ol, an intermediate for producing vitamin E, from methacrolein, crotonaldehyde, .beta.-hydroxy-isobutyric acid including intermediates in this synthesis.