1.β-Trifluoromethylcrotonic acid was obtained by the action of anhydrous sulfuric acid on β-trifluoromethyl-β-methylpropiolactone or β-trifluoromethyl-β-hydroxybutyric acid.2.Thionyl chloride in distinction from phosphorus pentoxide easily dehydrates methyl β-trfluoromethyl-β-hydroxybutyrate.3.After studying the direction of addition of methanol,ammonia, and ethanolamine to esters of β-trifluoromethylcrotonic acid it was concluded that the deciding role in the addition of nucleophilic reagents was played by polarization of the double bond, not steric hi