METHOD FOR PREPARING ALIPHATIC CARBOXYLIC ACIDS Russian patent published in 2004 - IPC

FIELD: organic chemistry, chemical technology. SUBSTANCE: invention relates to method for preparing aliphatic carboxylic acids by catalytic dehydrogenation of primary alcohol and can be used for preparing agricultural intermediate and pharmaceutical preparations. Method involves preparing aliphatic carboxylic acid of the general formula: X-CH(R)COOH wherein X represents hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group, OCH(R)-CH₂OH, OCH(R)COOH, OCH(R)CH(R)-NH₂, NH₂, NH(C_1-4-alkyl, NHCH₂P(O)(OH)₂, NHCH(R)-CH₂OH, N(CH(R)-CH₂OH)₂, N(CH(R)-CH₂OH)-(CH(R)COOH), N(CH(R)-COOH)₂, NHCH(R)COOH, N(CH(R)- N(CH(R)COOH-CH₂CH₂N(CH(R)COOH)₂), (CH(R)COOH)-CH₂P(O)(OH)₂) and each R represents independently hydrogen atom or CH₃. Method involves contacting primary aliphatic alcohol of the general formula X-CH(R)-CH₂OH, wherein X and R are indicated above with a catalyst comprising relatively to the total metals content 10-90 mole% of cobalt, 8-88 mole% of copper and 1-16 mole% of the third metal taken among cerium, iron, zinc and zirconium or their mixtures in an aqueous alkaline medium being practically in the absence of oxygen and at temperature 120-200 C followed by acidification with strong acid. Temperature is maintained in the range 140-200 C preferably and medium comprises alkaline metal hydroxide taken in the amount at least from 1 to 2 mole per a mole of alcohol. EFFECT: improved catalytic system for method realization. 5 cl, 15 ex