PROCESS FOR PRODUCING AROMATIC CARBOXYLIC ACIDS AND METHYL ESTERS THEREOF

摘要

A process for producing an aromatic carboxylic acid or its methyl ester which comprises oxidizing at least one aromatic compound having at least one methyl or formyl group directly bonded to a nuclear carbon atom of the aromatic ring in the liquid phase with molecular oxygen or a gas containing molecular oxygen in the presence of a heavy metal compound as a catalyst in the substantial absence of an aliphatic carboxylic acid as a solvent to form the corresponding aromatic carboxylic acid, and if desired, esterifying the oxidation reaction mixture containing the aromatic carboxylic acid with methanol; said oxidation reaction being carried out in the copresence of 0.1 mole to 10 moles, per mole of said heavy metal compound catalyst, of a lithium compound.