ALKYL CARBOXYLATE SALTS AS SOLVENTS FOR HENKEL-RELATED PROCESSES

摘要

Disclosed is the use of one or more molten salts or a mixture thereof for us e as a reaction medium in a process for the preparation of an aromatic diacid which comprises heating an alkali metal salt of an aromatic monocarboxylic acid or asymmetrical aromatic dicarboxylic acid under pressure with carbon dioxide gas in the presence of a catalyst at suitable reaction conditions. T he molten salt reaction medium provides advantages in a disproportionation reaction to produce, for example, purified terephthalic acid. In another aspect of the invention, novel methylated diacids are produced.