Hydroxypivaldehyde

Hydroxypivaldehyde is the organic compound with the formula HOCH2(CH3)2CCHO. A colorless liquid, it is produced by condensation of formaldehyde and isobutyraldehyde:


 * CH2O +  (CH3)2CHCHO  →  HOCH2(CH3)2CCHO

The compound is a rare example of a distillable aldol (3-hydroxyaldehyde). Upon standing, it dimerizes reversibly to the dioxane derivative.

Applications
Hydroxypivaldehyde is a precursor to vitamin B5 as is practiced commercially.
 * Pantothenic acid synthesis.svg

Hydroxypivaldehyde is also a precursor to neopentyl glycol by hydrogenation:
 * HOCH2(CH3)2CCHO +  H2  →  (CH3)2C(CH2OH)2