Process for the preparation of aromatic hydroxy carboxylic acids

摘要

A process for the preparation of aromatic hydroxy carboxylic acids by reacting alkali metal phenolates or alkali metal naphtholates with alkali metal carbonates and carbon monoxide, with subsequent acidification, wherein the solid starting materials-alkali metal carbonate and/or alkali metal phenolate or naphtholate-are metered into the reaction mixture in the form of one or more dispersions in an inert organic liquid. The process according to the invention enables the preparation of aromatic hydroxy carboxylic acids in good yields and with high chemical selectivity. Additional measures for increasing the selectivity, as described for example for the Kolbe-Schmitt reaction in EP-A 0 053 824, EP-A 0 081 753 and EP-A 0 254 596, and for the reaction with CO and carbonate in, for example, WO 91/11422, are unnecessary.