Varrentrapp reaction
Named reaction
The Varrentrapp reaction, also named Varrentrapp degradation, is a name reaction in the organic chemistry. It is named after Franz Varrentrapp, who described this reaction in 1840. The reaction entails the degradation of an unsaturated carboxylic acid into a saturated acid with two fewer carbon atoms and acetic acid. The fragmentation is induced by action of molten alkali.