COPPER(II)‐CATALYZED FORMATION OF DECENOIC ACIDS FROM MANGANESE(III) ACETATE AND 1‐OCTENE IN ACETIC ANHYDRIDE/ACETIC ACID MIXTURES

The reaction of 1-octene with manganese(III) acetate in acetic anhydride/acetic acid mixtures in the presence of Cu(II) salts gives 4-decenoic acid as a major product, together with some 3-decenoic acid. The 4-decenoic acid, after esterification, is shown to consist mainly of the trans-isomer, some cis-isomer being also present. 4-Acetoxydecanoic acid, γ-hexyl-γ-butyrolactone and decanoic acid are minor side products. A reaction mechanism is proposed.