Catalytic isomerization of .alpha.-alkenols

Abstract

A process for the catalytic isomerization of secondary .alpha.-alkenols of formula I ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl group or a C.sub.2 -C.sub.2 alkenyl group and in which R.sup.2 stands for hydrogen, a halogen atom, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkoxy group, a carbonyl group, or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl group and in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 can be joined together to complete a five-membered or six-membered carbocyclic ring, to primary .alpha.-alkenols of formula II ##STR2## or for the isomerization of primary .alpha.-alkenols of formula II to secondary .alpha.-alkenols of formula I, wherein the isomerization is carried out in the presence of organotrioxorhenium(VII) compounds of formula III ##STR3## in which R.sup.3 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl group, a cyclopentadienyl group substituted by from one to five C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl groups, an unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl group, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl group, or a C.sub.7 -C.sub.11 aralkyl group, or wherein the isomerization is carried out in the presence of organotrioxorhenium(VII) compounds of formula III attached to a polymeric support.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.