Production of L-ascorbic acid from 2-keto-L-gulonic acid with an acid catalyst and a lipophilic surfactant having a low hydrophilic: lipophilic balance under substantially anhydrous conditions.

摘要

A method for producing L-ascorbic acid which comprises (a) forming a substantially anhydrous slurry of 2-keto-l-gulonic acid and at least one lipophilic surfactant having a low hydrophilic:lipophilic balance of from about 4.3 to about 10.2 in a supporting organic layer which optionally contains a co-solvent and (b) reacting said slurry with a substantially anhydrous hydrogen chloride gas acid catalyst to convert said 2-keto-l-gulonic acid to L-ascorbic acid.