PRODUCTION OF PHENYLPYRUVIC ACID

摘要

PURPOSE:To obtain the titled substance by reacting benzyl chloride with CO and an alkaline earth metal base in the presence of a Co carbonyl catalyst using water and a solvent hardly soluble in water as the reaction solvent. CONSTITUTION:The titled substance is produced by reacting benzyl chloride with CO in the presence of Co carbonyl catalyst (preferably dicobalt octacarbonyl) and an alkaline earth metal base [preferably Ca(OH)2]. The reaction is carried out in the presence of water and a solvent hardly soluble in water (preferably methyl isobutyl ketone or acetophenone) under CO pressure of atmospheric pressure - 100kg/cm<2> at 40-100 deg.C. The reaction solution is filtered to obtain an alkali metal salt of the titled substance as a solid. the layer of the hardly water-soluble solvent containing the catalyst is recycled to the reaction system as it is and reused. USE:Production raw material for phenylalanine (a raw material of sweetener).