Isomerization of 2-cis-pentenoates to 2-trans-pentenoates

Abstract

2-cis-Pentenoates are isomerized to 2-trans-pentenoates by a process in which a 2-cis-pentenoate is treated at from 20.degree. to 250.degree. C. in the presence of one or more compounds of the formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is hydrogen or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each cycloalkyl of 5 to 8 carbon atoms or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together with the nitrogen atom on which they are substituents may form a 5-membered to 7-membered ring which may additionally contain a further nitrogen or oxygen atom, and R.sup.3 is hydrogen or a radical of the formula II ##STR2## where R.sup.4 is alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 5 to 7 carbon atoms, aralkyl of 7 to 10 carbon atoms or aryl of 6 to 10 carbon atoms, with the proviso that a tertiary amine is present only when R.sup.3 is a radical of the formula II.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.