METHOD OF SYNTHESIS OF 2-HYDROXY-4-METHYLTHIOBUTYRIC ACID OR ITS SALTS Russian patent published in 2002 - IPC

FIELD: organic chemistry, chemical technology. SUBSTANCE: invention relates to method of continuous synthesis of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid or its salt and to device for its realization. Method involves addition of an aqueous mineral acid for nitrile hydrolysis and addition of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutane nitrile for nitrile hydrolysis into continuous reactor with mixer. In reactor 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutane nitrile is hydrolyzed continuously to yield product flow containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutane amide. This product flow from reactor where nitrile is hydrolyzed is added into flow-type reactor for amide hydrolysis. In flow-type reactor for hydrolysis of amide 2-hydroxy-4-methyl-thiobutane amide is hydrolyzed to yield an aqueous hydrolyzate product containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid. From an aqueous hydrolyzate product 2- hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid is isolated. EFFECT: improved method of synthesis. 72 cl, 9 dwg, 35 tbl, 57 ex