PROCESS FOR PREPARING ADIPIC ACID Russian patent published in 1996 - IPC

FIELD: manufacture of plasticizers. SUBSTANCE: product: adipic acid of empirical formula: C₆H₁₀O₄., selectivity 93-100%. Reagent 1: pentenic acid such as 3- or 4-pentenic acid or mixture thereof. Reagent 2: carbon oxide. Reaction conditions: in the presence of water or catalyst based on iridium and at least one iodine containing promoter at elevated temperature and pressure which is above atmospheric pressure and at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of saturated aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons and halogen containing derivatives thereof, aromatic hydrocarbons and halogen containing derivatives and aliphatic, aromatic or mixed esters, atomic ratio is 1:10-1, molar ratio of water to pentenic acid or mixture thereof is less or equal to 10 and solution is at least 10% of the reaction mixture volume. EFFECT: more efficient preparation process. 7 cl