Pivalic
acid is the shortest chain tert-carboxylic acid. Atoms within a molecule
occupy space. When
atoms are crowded together and overlapped electron clouds, van der Waals repulsions produce an steric hindrance. Steric hindrance may influence conformational equilibria
and reactivity. Although steric hindrance is sometimes a
unfavorable structure due to less readily reaction,
it can provide an escape from undesired side-reactions,
can affect varying degrees of rate and energy and can
produce the target derivatives which are more
resistant to hydrolysis and oxidation than the derivatives from linear chain.
Pivalic acid is a key intermediate for the target molecules
which require hydrolytic stability and a variety of
chemical resistance. Pivalic acid is used mainly
in the form of chloride salt (pivaloyl chloride) which
are obtained commercially from phosgene. It is used
as an intermediate in the production of peroxides and
peroxy-esters required for the polymer and agrochemical
production. It
is used as an intermediate to prepare pharmaceuticals ( Ampicillin,
Amoxycillin, Cephalosporins). 2,2-Dimethylbutyric acid
is the next shortest chain tert-carboxylic acid which
has similar applications with pivalic acid.
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