The present invention relates to a process of cleaving lactones optionally having functional groups to give carboxylic acids, where the corresponding lactone is reacted with hydrogen with catalysis by a compound of a metal of group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements which has been modified with organophosphines. The process is preferably carried out in a two-phase system using catalysts which have water-soluble phosphine ligands.
The reaction is particularly suitable for cleavage 2-ethylidene-6-hepten-5-olide to give ethylidene-6-heptenecarboxylic acid or isomers thereof. This carboxylic acid can be hydrogenated in a manner known per se to give 2-ethylheptanoic acid.
本发明涉及一种裂解任选具有官能团的内酯以得到
羧酸的工艺,其中相应的内酯在用有机膦修饰过的元素周期表第Ⅷ族
金属化合物的催化下与氢反应。该过程最好在两相体系中进行,使用具有
水溶性
膦配体的催化剂。
该反应特别适用于裂解 2-亚乙基-6-庚烯-
5-内酯,得到亚乙基-6-庚烯
羧酸或其异构体。这种
羧酸可以按照本身已知的方式进行氢化,得到
2-乙基庚酸。