Preparation of long-chain carboxylic acids and alcohols

摘要

The process for the preparation of long-chain carboxylic acids which can be readily converted to alcohols. Shorter chain acids are converted to the acid chloride which may be further purified. The acid chloride is mixed with an enamine and a hindered tertiary amine in an organic solvent and then acidified to form the beta-diketone after washing the organic phase and removal of the solvent. The beta-diketone is reacted with an inorganic hydroxide or alkali metal alkoxide and acidified to produce the keto acid which can be readily converted to the respective aliphatic acid and alcohol.