3,3-dimethyloxetan-2-one

Conditions: temp:0.00; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: After 0.5 hour at 60° C., the solution was cooled to room temperature and 5.5 ml of pivalolactone was added. The resultant mixture was warmed slightly, and in about 15 minutes gelation occurred and it became too viscous to stir. It was let stand at room temperature overnight, and then was mixed with 250 ml of tetrahydrofuran. The mixture was transferred to a blender, and after being blended it was centrifuged. Extraction with THF showed no homopolyisoprene. The mixture was finally processed in a blender with about an equal volume of ethanol containing acetic acid and phenyl-β-naphthylamine antioxidant. The shredded polymer was separated on a filter and dried at room temperature under vacuum; yield, 12.5 g (80%, based on starting materials). Analysis by I. R. indicated approximately 45% pivalolactone in the polymer. in about 15 minutes gelation occurred at room temperature overnight Extraction with THF containing acetic acid and phenyl-β-naphthylamine antioxidant The shredded polymer was separated on a filter dried at room temperature under vacuum yield

Conditions: temp:0.00; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: After 0.5 hour at 60° C., the solution was cooled to room temperature and 5.5 ml of pivalolactone was added. The resultant mixture was warmed slightly, and in about 15 minutes gelation occurred and it became too viscous to stir. It was let stand at room temperature overnight, and then was mixed with 250 ml of tetrahydrofuran. The mixture was transferred to a blender, and after being blended it was centrifuged. Extraction with THF showed no homopolyisoprene. The mixture was finally processed in a blender with about an equal volume of ethanol containing acetic acid and phenyl-β-naphthylamine antioxidant. The shredded polymer was separated on a filter and dried at room temperature under vacuum; yield, 12.5 g (80%, based on starting materials). Analysis by I. R. indicated approximately 45% pivalolactone in the polymer. in about 15 minutes gelation occurred at room temperature overnight Extraction with THF containing acetic acid and phenyl-β-naphthylamine antioxidant The shredded polymer was separated on a filter dried at room temperature under vacuum yield

Conditions: temp:0.00; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: After 0.5 hour at 60° C., the solution was cooled to room temperature and 5.5 ml of pivalolactone was added. The resultant mixture was warmed slightly, and in about 15 minutes gelation occurred and it became too viscous to stir. It was let stand at room temperature overnight, and then was mixed with 250 ml of tetrahydrofuran. The mixture was transferred to a blender, and after being blended it was centrifuged. Extraction with THF showed no homopolyisoprene. The mixture was finally processed in a blender with about an equal volume of ethanol containing acetic acid and phenyl-β-naphthylamine antioxidant. The shredded polymer was separated on a filter and dried at room temperature under vacuum; yield, 12.5 g (80%, based on starting materials). Analysis by I. R. indicated approximately 45% pivalolactone in the polymer. in about 15 minutes gelation occurred at room temperature overnight Extraction with THF containing acetic acid and phenyl-β-naphthylamine antioxidant The shredded polymer was separated on a filter dried at room temperature under vacuum yield

Conditions: temp:0.00; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: A 50 milliliter portion of this recovered catalyst is tested in continuous operation for 24 hours under the conditions outlined in Example 2. Formaldehyde conversion to pivalolactone averages 50 percent with 10 percent going to isobutyroxypivalic anhydride. Isobutyric anhydride yield for the same period averages 75 percent to pivalolactone and 20 percent to isobutyroxypivalic anhydride.

Conditions: temp:0.00; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: This example shows the lower yields and conversions obtained by the usually prepared tantalum oxide on silica gel catalyst. The catalyst is prepared by the same procedure described in Example 1 except that after treatment in air at 550° C. for 1.5 hours the reactor is cooled and put into service. This material is not steam treated at high temperatures. The catalyst is tested as described in Example 2 in continuous operation for two days. For this period formaldehyde conversion to pivalolactone averages 28 percent with 26 percent going to isobutyroxypivalic anhydride. Isobutyric anhydride yield for the same two days averages 30 percent to pivalolactone and 41 percent to isobutyoxypivalic anhydride. The catalyst is prepared by the same procedure at 550° C. for 1.5 hours is cooled treated at high temperatures

Conditions: temp:0.00; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: This example shows the lower yields and conversions obtained by the usually prepared tantalum oxide on silica gel catalyst. The catalyst is prepared by the same procedure described in Example 1 except that after treatment in air at 550° C. for 1.5 hours the reactor is cooled and put into service. This material is not steam treated at high temperatures. The catalyst is tested as described in Example 2 in continuous operation for two days. For this period formaldehyde conversion to pivalolactone averages 28 percent with 26 percent going to isobutyroxypivalic anhydride. Isobutyric anhydride yield for the same two days averages 30 percent to pivalolactone and 41 percent to isobutyoxypivalic anhydride. The catalyst is prepared by the same procedure at 550° C. for 1.5 hours is cooled treated at high temperatures

Conditions: temp:0.00; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: Following this procedure 50 milliliters of the catalyst from Example 1 is tested in continuous operation for four days. Formaldehyde conversion to pivalolacetone averages 68 percent with 14 percent going to isobutyroxypivalic anhydride, the product derived from the secondary reaction between pivalolactone, isobutyric acid and isobutyric anhydride. Isobutyric anhydride yield averages 66 percent to pivalolactone and 20 percent to isobutyroxypivalic anhydride. This catalyst is then regenerated by burning clean in air and steam at 550° C. and put back into service. For a similar four day period formaldehyde conversion to pivalolactone averages 74 percent with 8 percent going to isobutyroxypivalic anhydride. Isobutyric anhydride yield averages 76 percent to pivalolactone and 12 percent to isobutyroxypivalic anhydride. Another similar regeneration cycle is carried out and essentially the same results are obtained. by burning clean in air and steam at 550° C.

Conditions: temp:0.00; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: Following this procedure 50 milliliters of the catalyst from Example 1 is tested in continuous operation for four days. Formaldehyde conversion to pivalolacetone averages 68 percent with 14 percent going to isobutyroxypivalic anhydride, the product derived from the secondary reaction between pivalolactone, isobutyric acid and isobutyric anhydride. Isobutyric anhydride yield averages 66 percent to pivalolactone and 20 percent to isobutyroxypivalic anhydride. This catalyst is then regenerated by burning clean in air and steam at 550° C. and put back into service. For a similar four day period formaldehyde conversion to pivalolactone averages 74 percent with 8 percent going to isobutyroxypivalic anhydride. Isobutyric anhydride yield averages 76 percent to pivalolactone and 12 percent to isobutyroxypivalic anhydride. Another similar regeneration cycle is carried out and essentially the same results are obtained. by burning clean in air and steam at 550° C.

Conditions: temp:0.00; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: A 50 milliliter portion of this recovered catalyst is tested in continuous operation for 24 hours under the conditions outlined in Example 2. Formaldehyde conversion to pivalolactone averages 59 percent with 10 percent going to isobutyroxypivalic anhydride. Isobutyric anhydride yield for the same period averages 75 percent to pivalolactone and 20 percent to isobutyroxypivalic anhydride.

Conditions: temp:0.00; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: This example shows the lower yields and conversions obtained by the usually prepared tantalum oxide on silica gel catalyst. The catalyst is prepared by the same procedure described in Example 1 except that after treatment in air at 550°C. for 1.5 hours the reactor is cooled and put into service. This material is not steam treated at high temperatures. The catalyst is tested as described in Example 2 in continuous operation for two days. For this period formaldehyde conversion to pivalolactone averages 28 percent with 26 percent going to isobutyroxypivalic anhydride. Isobutyric anhydride yield for the same two days averages 30 percent to pivalolactone and 41 percent to isobutyroxypivalic anhydride. The catalyst is prepared by the same procedure at 550°C. for 1.5 hours is cooled treated at high temperatures

Conditions: temp:0.00; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: Following this procedure 50 milliliters of the catalyst from Example 1 is tested in continuous operation for four days. Formaldehyde conversion to pivalolactone averages 68 percent with 14 percent going to isobutyroxypivalic anhydride, the product derived from the secondary reaction between pivalolactone, isobutyric acid and isobutyric anhydride. Isobutyric anhydride yield averages 66 percent to pivalolactone and 20 percent to isobutyroxypivalic anhydride. This catalyst is then regenerated by burning clean in air and steam at 550°C. and put back into service. For a similar four day period formaldehyde conversion to pivalolactone averages 74 percent with 8 percent going to isobutyroxypivalic anhydride. Isobutyric anhydride yield averages 76 percent to pivalolactone and 12 percent to isobutyroxypivalic anhydride. Another similar regeneration cycle is carried out and essentially the same results are obtained. by burning clean in air and steam at 550°C.

Conditions: temp:0.00; pressure:0.00; stir:; See reaction.notes.procedure_details.

Procedure: After 0.5 hour at 60° C., the solution was cooled to room temperature and 5.5 ml of pivalolactone was added. The resultant mixture was warmed slightly, and in about 15 minutes gelation occurred and it became too viscous to stir. It was let stand at room temperature overnight, and then was mixed with 250 ml of tetrahydrofuran. The mixture was transferred to a blender, and after being blended it was centrifuged. Extraction with THF showed no homopolyisoprene. The mixture was finally processed in a blender with about an equal volume of ethanol containing acetic acid and phenyl-β-naphthylamine antioxidant. The shredded polymer was separated on a filter and dried at room temperature under vacuum; yield, 12.5 g (80%, based on starting materials). Analysis by I. R. indicated approximately 45% pivalolactone in the polymer. in about 15 minutes gelation occurred at room temperature overnight Extraction with THF containing acetic acid and phenyl-β-naphthylamine antioxidant The shredded polymer was separated on a filter dried at room temperature under vacuum yield