Industrially pinacolone is made by the hydrolysis of 4,4,5-trimethyl-1,3-dioxane, which is the product of isoprene and formaldehyde via the Prins reaction. It also is generated by ketonization of pivalic acid and acetic acid or acetone over metal oxide catalysts. 3-Methylbutanal is a starting material for 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene, which in turn is converted to pinacolone.