A process is disclosed for preparing aldehydes by isomerization of the corresponding
unsaturated primary alcohols using a transition metal catalyst system, in an alcoholic
solvent and in the presence of an acid. An aldehyde forms by isomerizing an unsaturated
primary alcohol under conditions that protect the newly formed aldehyde as a dialkylacetal
in situ during the reaction. Protecting the aldehyde as an acetal allows for facile
separation of the product from the catalyst as well as effectively driving the
reaction toward completion.
