3-Formyl-4-methyl-pentanoic acids

Abstract

Novel 3-formyl-4-methyl-pentanoic acid derivatives of the formula ##STR1## wherein Y is an aromatic group, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are individually alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a carbon homocycle of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, the Rs are alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or together form a polymethylene of 2 to 3 carbon atoms and Z' is selected from the group consisting of --COOH and Z and Z is selected from the group consisting of cyano and --COOR.sub.1 wherein R.sub.1 is alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms and their preparation which are useful for the preparation of 3-formyl-4-R.sub.2 R.sub.3 -but-3-ene-1-oic acid which is an intermediate for the preparation of a compound of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.4 is hydrogen or the remainder of an alcohol of the formula R.sub.1 OH by the process of copending, commonly assigned U.S. patent application No. 153,338 filed May 27, 1980.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.