Process for the production of terephthalic acid

摘要

A process for the production of terephthalic acid comprises subjecting polyalkylene terephthalate to hydrolysis using a ratio of water to polyalkylene terephthalate in the mixture prior to heating and carrying out the reaction under conditions such that, at the reaction temperature, a significant proportion of the terephthalic acid produced is in the solid phase. The degree of recrystallisation necessary to recover the terephthalic acid produced is thereby reduced. The reaction can with advantage be carried out with alkylene glycol present in the mixture prior to hydrolysis.