Separation of an isomeric mixture of acetoxy-aldehydes by catalytic decomposition of an aldehyde to acetic acid and methacrolein

A process for separating 2-methyl-3-acetoxypropionaldehyde from an isomeric mixture of 4-acetoxybutyraldehyde, 2-methyl-3-acetoxypropionaldehyde and 2-acetoxybutyraldehyde which comprises heating at a temperature of from about 90.degree. to about 180.degree.C said mixture in the presence of an elimination catalyst which decomposes the 2-methyl-3-acetoxypropionaldehyde to acetic acid and methacrolein, and separating the acetic acid and methacrolein therefrom by distillation;

• said elimination catalyst being selected from the group consisting of a tertiary amine, silica-aluminas of from pure silica to pure alumina and zeolites;
• wherein the tertiary amine is selected from the group consisting of alkylamines, arylamines, cycloalkylamines, alkarylamines, aralkylamines of 1 to 25 carbon atoms and heterocyclic amines.