Preparation of 2-(hydroxymethyl)-acrylonitrile and 2- (hydroxymethyl)- acrylates

摘要

2-(hydroxymethyl)-acrylonitrile and 2-(hydroxymethyl)- acrylates of the formula ##STR1## where X is --CN or ##STR2## and R is unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, are prepared by reacting acrylonitrile or an acrylate with hydrated formaldehyde or a hemiacetal of formaldehyde in the presence of a tertiary amine as a catalyst.