Liquid phase oxidation of unsaturated aldehydes to carboxylic acids with a bismuth catalyst

摘要

A process for the preparation of alpha , beta -unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids by the liquid phase oxidation of the corresponding alpha , beta -unsaturated aliphatic aldehyde, such as acrolein and methacrolein, and the in situ decomposition or conversion of unsaturated peroxy (peroxide) compounds formed during oxidation, which comprises passing air or oxygen through an inert organic solvent solution of the aldehyde at a suitable temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalytic amount of an organic or inorganic bismuth salt. Heterogeneous solvent systems employing mixtures of the organic solvent and water may be used.