Preparation of hydroxycarboxylic esters

US4990227A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

• Michael Steiniger · Neustadt, DE
• Heinz Hannebaum · Ludwigshafen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 31, 1989
• Grant date: Feb 5, 1991
• Expiry date: Mar 31, 2009

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C25B3/23
• WIPO field: Surface technology, coating
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Hydroxycarboxylic esters of the general formula ##STR1## where n is an integer from 0 to 10, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each hydrogen, hydroxyl, alkoxy or an aliphatic or olefinic, straight-chain, branched or cyclic hydrocarbon radical, and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together may furthermore form an alkylene radical, and the hydrocarbon radicals may furthermore be substituted by halogen, hydroxyl, epoxy or nitrile, and R.sup.3 is a low molecular weight alkyl radical, are prepared by electrochemical oxidation of a hydroxyaldehyde of the general formula ##STR2## in the presence of an alcohol of the formula R.sup.3 OH and of an ionic bromide or chloride in an undivided electrolysis cell.