Process for the preparation of alkynols

22 1 2 3Process for the preparation of an alkynol with formula HC≡C-CH(OH)-R(formula 2) wherein Rrepresents methyl, halomethyl or ethyl, wherein the corresponding silyl-protected alkynol ester with formula 1 wherein Rrepresents H, or an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted alkenyl or an optionally substituted (hetero)aryl group, Ris as defined above and ASi represents a trisubstituted silyl group wherein each A independently represents an optionally substituted alkyl or an optionally substituted (hetero)aryl group, in the presence of water and at least an equivalent amount of amine functionalities is converted into the alkynol with formula 2. Preferably, the amount of water is between 0.5 and 3 equivalents calculated with respect to the amount of silyl-protected alkynol ester with formula (1).