ChemInform Abstract: Stereospecific Trimerization Induced by γ‐Radiation of Crystalline Sodium trans‐2‐Butenoate.

Abstract

Only one of eight possible diastereomers of the sodium salt of the tricarboxylic acid 1 is formed in high yield in the novel title reaction. Compound 1 cannot be prepared in solution, by thermolysis or by UV irradiation of crystalline sodium trans‐2‐butenoate. The trimerization is interesting as a model reaction for the early stages of oligomer formation in a solid‐state polymerization reaction.