Rohm and Haas Company

Joseph W Nemec

Michael S Cholod

Thomas Stewart

Richard B Wuchter

The present invention relates to a process of the conversion of tert-butyl alkanoates to methacrolein or methacrylonitrile, and more particularly to a process for the conversion of tert-butyl acetate to methacrolein or methacrylonitrile.

Preparation of methacrolein and methacrylonitrile from tert-butyl

Esters of 4-substituted 2-methyleneglutaric acids are prepared by reacting an ester of acrylic acid with an ester of an .alpha.-substituted acrylic acid, such as an ester of methacrylic acid, in the presence of a tertiary organic phosphine, an organic phosphorus triamide, an organic phosphonous diamide, or an organic phosphinous amide.

Esters of 4-substituted 2-methyleneglutaric acids and method for

A method is disclosed for inhibiting the polymerization of acrylic and methacrylic acids at ambient or above ambient temperature, such as during preparation, purification or storage of the acids under substantially anaerobic conditions, by adding thereto a polymerization inhibiting amount of a compound having the formula: ##STR1## where R, R', R', R'' are hydrogen, alkyl or aryl.

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Rydal, PA, United States of America

Joseph W Nemec