Catalytic hydroesterification of alkyl lactates give alkyl 2-(propionyloxy)propanoates, starting from alkyl lactate, carbon monoxide, ethylene gas, and a palladium catalyst. Pyrolysis of alkyl 2-(propionyloxy)propanoates gives acrylate esters.

Catalytic hydroesterification of alkyl lactates give alkyl 2-(propionyloxy)propanoates, starting from alkyl lactate, carbon monoxide, ethylene gas, and a palladium catalyst. Pyrolysis of alkyl 2-(propionyloxy)propanoates gives acrylate esters.

Catalytic hydroesterification of alkyl lactates give alkyl 2-(propionyloxy)propanoates, starting from alkyl lactate, carbon monoxide, ethylene gas, and a palladium catalyst. Pyrolysis of alkyl 2-(propionyloxy)propanoates gives acrylate esters.

Described herein are methods of oxidative coupling of aryl boron reagents with sp.sup.3-carbon nucleophiles, and ambient decarboxylative arylation of malonate half-esters via oxidative catalysis.

Described herein are methods of oxidative coupling of aryl boron reagents with sp.sup.3-carbon nucleophiles, and ambient decarboxylative arylation of malonate half-esters via oxidative catalysis.

The invention provides a method of producing acrylic acid. The method includes contacting fumaric acid with a sufficient amount of ethylene in the presence of a cross-metathesis transformation catalyst to produce about two moles of acrylic acid per mole of fumaric acid. Also provided is an acrylate ester. The method includes contacting fumarate diester with a sufficient amount of ethylene in the presence of a cross-metathesis transformation catalyst to produce about two moles of acrylate ester per mole of fumarate diester. An integrated process for process for producing acrylic acid or acrylate ester is provided which couples bioproduction of fumaric acid with metathesis transformation. An acrylic acid and an acrylate ester production also is provided.

The invention provides a method of producing acrylic acid. The method includes contacting fumaric acid with a sufficient amount of ethylene in the presence of a cross-metathesis transformation catalyst to produce about two moles of acrylic acid per mole of fumaric acid. Also provided is an acrylate ester. The method includes contacting fumarate diester with a sufficient amount of ethylene in the presence of a cross-metathesis transformation catalyst to produce about two moles of acrylate ester per mole of fumarate diester. An integrated process for process for producing acrylic acid or acrylate ester is provided which couples bioproduction of fumaric acid with metathesis transformation. An acrylic acid and an acrylate ester production also is provided.

One object of the invention is to provide a method for preparing a 9,9-dialkoxy-7-nonynoate ester and (7E)-7,9-decadienoate ester, which are valuable as intermediates. The method for preparing a (7E)-7,9-decadienoate ester (5) comprises at least steps of: hydrolyzing a 9,9-dialkoxy-7-nonenoate ester (2), R.sup.3O(R.sup.2O)CHCHCH(CH.sub.2).sub.5CO.sub.2R.sup.1, to form a (7E)-9-oxo-7-nonenoate ester (3); and subjecting the (7E)-9-oxo-7-nonenoate ester (3) to a Wittig reaction with a triarylphosphonium methylide (4), Ar.sub.3PCH.sub.2, to form the (7E)-7,9-decadienoate ester (5). The 9,9-dialkoxy-7-nonenoate ester may be prepared by, for example, reducing a 9,9-dialkoxy-7-nonynoate ester (1).

##STR00001##

One object of the invention is to provide a method for preparing a 9,9-dialkoxy-7-nonynoate ester and (7E)-7,9-decadienoate ester, which are valuable as intermediates. The method for preparing a (7E)-7,9-decadienoate ester (5) comprises at least steps of: hydrolyzing a 9,9-dialkoxy-7-nonenoate ester (2), R.sup.3O(R.sup.2O)CHCHCH(CH.sub.2).sub.5CO.sub.2R.sup.1, to form a (7E)-9-oxo-7-nonenoate ester (3); and subjecting the (7E)-9-oxo-7-nonenoate ester (3) to a Wittig reaction with a triarylphosphonium methylide (4), Ar.sub.3PCH.sub.2, to form the (7E)-7,9-decadienoate ester (5). The 9,9-dialkoxy-7-nonenoate ester may be prepared by, for example, reducing a 9,9-dialkoxy-7-nonynoate ester (1).

##STR00001##

A method of chemically extending a carbon chain of an unsaturated fatty acid for conversion into a different unsaturated fatty acid has been reported. The present invention shortens reaction steps of conventional methods, and completes a carbon chain extending reaction in a shorter time. The present invention provides a method of extending a carbon chain of an unsaturated fatty acid by two carbons, comprising steps of four stages including a short-path conversion reaction of an unsaturated fatty chain obtained from an unsaturated fatty acid into a malonic ester derivative, and heating of the malonic ester derivative to reflux in a lower fatty acid solution. The method of the present invention can complete a carbon chain extending reaction in a shorter time.