PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF OPTICALLY ACTIVE 2-PHENOXY PROPIONIC ACIDS AND HERBICIDAL PREPARATIONS CONTAINING SUCH ACIDS

摘要

The present invention provides a process for the preparation of a D-2-phenoxy propionic acid of the general formula where each X represents a halogen atom or a methyl group and n is an integer from 1 to 5, which comprises condensing an alkali metal salt of 2-chloropropionic acid which is dextrorotatory in water with an alkali derivative of a phenol of the general formula at elevated temperature, in an aqueous medium such that the overall amount of water in the reaction mixture is not more than about 8 moles per mole of alkali metal salt of 2-chloropropionic acid. The process avoids the use of an organic solvent.