Preparation of formic acid

US4218568A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

• Heinz Hohenschutz · Mannheim, DE
• Johannes E. Schmidt · Ludwigshafen, DE
• Hans Kiefer · Leopoldshafen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 26, 1978
• Grant date: Aug 19, 1980
• Expiry date: Sep 26, 1998

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C51/09
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Formic acid is prepared by hydrolyzing methyl formate, the hydrolysis being carried out in the presence of from 0.5 to 3.0 moles, per mole of methyl formate, of a base which contains tertiary nitrogen atoms, boils at not less than 180.degree. C. under atmospheric pressure and has a pKa from 4 to 9, N-substituted imidazole derivatives being the preferred bases.