Isobutyraldehyde


Isobutyraldehyde is the chemical compound with the formula 2CHCHO. It is an aldehyde, isomeric with n-butyraldehyde. Isobutyraldehyde is manufactured, often as a side-product, by the hydroformylation of propene. Its odour is described as that of wet cereal or straw. It undergoes the Cannizaro reaction even though it has alpha hydrogen atom.

Synthesis

Isobutyraldehyde is produced industrially by the hydroformylation of propene. Several million tons are produced annually.
Strong mineral acids catalyse the rearrangement of methallyl alcohol to isobutyraldehyde.
It can also be produced using engineered bacteria.

Reactions

of the aldehyde gives isobutanol. Oxidation gives methacrolein or methacrylic acid. Condensation with formaldehyde gives hydroxypivaldehyde.