Crotonaldehyde is a chemical compound with the formula CH3CH=CHCHO. The compound is usually sold as a mixture of the E- and Z-isomers, which differ with respect to the relative position of the methyl and formyl groups. The E-isomer is more common (data given in Table is for the E-isomer). This lachrymatory liquid is moderately soluble in water and miscible in organic solvents. As an unsaturated aldehyde, crotonaldehyde is a versatile intermediate in organic synthesis. It occurs in a variety of foodstuffs, e.g. soybean oils.

Production and reactivity

Crotonaldehyde is produced by the aldol condensation of acetaldehyde: Crotonaldehyde is a multifunctional molecule that exhibits diverse reactivity. It is a prochiral dienophile. It is a Michael acceptor. Addition of methylmagnesium chloride produces 3-penten-2-ol. Polyurethane catalyst N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-1,4-butanediamine (also known as NIAX TMBDA) was obtained by hydrogenating the reaction product of crotonaldehyde and dimethylamine.

Uses

It is a precursor to many fine chemicals. A prominent industrial example is the crossed aldol condensation with diethyl ketone to give trimethylcyclohexenone, this can be easily converted to trimethylhydroquinone, which is a precursor to the vitamin E. Other derivatives include crotonic acid, 3-methoxybutanol and the food preservative Sorbic acid. Condensation with two equivalents of urea gives a pyrimidine derivative that is employed as a controlled-release fertilizer.

Safety

Crotonaldehyde is a potent irritant even at the ppm levels. It is not very toxic, with an of 174 mg/kg (rats, oral).