The experimental detection of a retro-Prince reaction exemplified by a homogeneous acid-catalyzed decomposition of isopentenols

The occurrence of the retro-Prince reaction in the transformations of an equilibrium mixture of 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol and 3-methyl-2-buten-l-ol in 24.9--49 % aqueous sulfuric acid at 25 ~ has been experimentally proved.