2-Methyl-2-pentenal was hydrogenated at 100°C and 1.3-1.5MPa with a yield of 80%. After obtaining 2-methylpentenal, it was added to 36% formaldehyde, and the reaction was carried out at room temperature. Sodium hydroxide solution was added dropwise. The reaction was exothermic, and the temperature was naturally raised to 70 °C, then heated to 90 °C, added for 1 h, cooled to 60 °C and left to separate layers. The upper layer was washed with water, the washings were combined with the lower layer, and extracted with benzene. The extract and the upper layer were combined, and benzene was recovered by distillation, followed by distillation under reduced pressure to collect a fraction at 160°C (14.7kPa), which was 2-methyl-2-propyl-1,3-propanediol,yield 93%.
