Process for preparing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid

摘要

A method for producing a 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid is provided, the method comprising the steps of: hydrolyzing a 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanenitrile and/or a 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanamide in the presence of a sulfuric acid to obtain a reaction mixture containing a 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid; mixing the reaction mixture with a basic alkaline metal compound to obtain a mixture comprising an oil layer containing the 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid and a water layer; and separating the oil layer containing the 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid from the mixture. In accordance with the present invention, a 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid is obtained with excellent operability and efficiency without using an organic solvent.