A mixture of 2-ethyl-4-methylpenten-2-al-1 and 2-ethylhexen-2-al-1 is prepared by contacting a mixture of n-butyraldehyde and isobutyraldehyde with dilute aqueous alkali hydroxide at 120-200 C. at a pressure higher than the vapour pressure of the organic mixture at the chosen reaction temperature, e.g. at 5-15 atmospheres absolute, the aldehydes and alkali not being mixed before they reach the reaction zone held under the specified conditions. A continuous method in which the aldehyde mixture and alkali are contacted countercurrently is described.
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