Process for producing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid

摘要

A process for producing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid which comprises hydrating 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanenitrile in the presence of sulfuric acid, hydrolyzing the 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanamide contained in the reaction mixture, subsequently separating the resultant reaction mixture into an oil layer containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid and an aqueous layer, and circulating part of the aqueous layer to the hydrolysis step and/or the oil/water separation step. By the process, 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid can be efficiently obtained in a satisfactory manner without using an organic solvent.