PROCESS FOR PREPARING alpha -BRANCHED ALIPHATIC MONOCARBOXYLIC ACIDS

摘要

A process is disclosed for preparing alpha -branched aliphatic monocarboxylic acids with 12 to 48 carbon atoms. In a first step of the process (a), alpha -branched aliphatic monohydric alcohols (Guerbet alcohols) are converted in the presence of caustic alkali into the alkali salts of the corresponding alpha -branched aliphatic monocarboxylic acids. In a second step of the process (b), the alpha -branched aliphatic monocarboxylic acids are released from the alkali salts by soap splitting in the presence of an inert diluting agent.