Kinetic scheme of homogeneous acid-catalyzed transformation of isopentenols

Article abstract of DOI:10.1007/BF00696913

The reactions occurring in an equilibrium mixture of 3-methyl-1-buten-3-ol and 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol in 24-49 percent aqueous solutions of H2SO4 yield isoprene, 3-methyl-3-buten-1-ol, isobutylene, formaldehyde, 3-methylbutane-1,3-diol.Isobutylene is rapidly hydrated to give 2-methylpropan-2-ol.The presence of formaldehyde in the reaction mixture indicates that the transformations involve the reverse Prins reaction.On the basis of experimental and literature data, two most probable reactions were suggested.