PROCESS FOR PREPARING -g(a)-BRANCHED ALIPHATIC MONOCARBOXYLIC ACIDS.

摘要

PCT No. PCT/EP94/00155 Sec. 371 Date Aug. 29, 1995 Sec. 102(e) Date Aug. 29, 1995 PCT Filed Jan. 21, 1994 PCT Pub. No. WO94/17026 PCT Pub. Date Aug. 4, 1994A 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.