PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF ALKALI METAL SALTS OF 2-PHOSPHONOBUTANE-1,2,4-TRICARBOXYLIC ACID

摘要

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of alkali metal salts of 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid, characterized in that 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid penta-alkyl esters or partial esters are reacted with an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution in a ratio of from 0.5 to 0.76 mol, preferably from 0.6 to 0.7 mol of alkali metal hydroxide per mol of ester function at temperatures from 20 to 200.degree.C in a one-shot process. Le A 27 533