SIMULTANEOUS RECOVERY AND CONTINUOUS EXTRACTION OF SUBSTANTIALLY PURE CARBOXYLIC ACIDS AND AMMONIUM SALTS FROM ACID HYDROLYSIS REACTION MIXTURES

摘要

A continuous or batch process for the production and recovery of substantially pure carboxylic acids and ammonium salts from a corresponding nitrile. By controlling the amount of water used in the reaction, a biphasic reaction mixture forms which facilitate simultaneous recovery of both fractions. In a preferred embodiment, using propionitrile as the starting material and strong sulfuric acid, propionic acid of approximately 98% purity is produced in the upper phase. A combination of hydrochloric and sulfuric acid can reduce the total reaction volume.