Summary Ethyl 3 -hydroxy - 2,3 - dimethylbutanoate has been dehydrated to ethyl 2,3-dimethyl-2-buteno- ate and ethyl 2,3-dimethyl-3-butenoate. These have been isolated and their physical constants determined. The structure of these unsaturated esters has been assigned on the basis of the ketones to which they have been degraded. EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN RECEIVED JULY 5, 1946 ... [CON rRIBUTION FROM THE VENABLE CHEMICAL ...