Terephthalic acid process

摘要

A process for the preparation of terephthalic acid which comprises electrolyzing disodium terephthalate in the anode compartment of an electrolytic cell whereby terephthalic acid product is precipitated and subsequently separated. In a preferred embodiment the disodium terephthalate is obtained by the aqueous hydrolysis of terephthalonitrile in the presence of a stoichiometric excess of sodium hydroxide.