Trimethylacetaldehyde (also known as Pivaldehyde) is the trimethyl form of acetaldehyde. It is an aldehyde with a sterically bulky R group, the tertiary-butyl group being attached to the carbonyl, >C=O. It is a useful reagent in organic synthesis, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and dyestuff. It is useful in streoselective synthesis application as well as in aldol condensation reactions. As a derivative of acetaldehyde, trimethyl acetaldehyde can be used for the production of acetate. It can also be used as the precursor for manufacturing of pyridine derivatives, pentaerythritol, and crotonaldehyde.