Process for the production of .alpha.-branched aliphatic monocarboxylic acids

US5654453A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien · DE

Inventors

• Gerhard Mueller · Freilassing, DE
• Bernhard Gutsche · Hilden, DE
• Karl Schmid · Mettmann, DE
• Frank Bongardt · Meerbusch, DE
• Lutz Jeromin · Hilden, DE
• Eberhard Peukert · Hilden, DE
• Hermann Frankenbach · Heideck, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 29, 1995
• Grant date: Aug 5, 1997
• Expiry date: Aug 29, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P20/582
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process is disclosed for preparing .alpha.-branched aliphatic monocarboxylic acids with 12 to 48 carbon atoms. In a first step of the process (a), .alpha.-branched aliphatic monohydric alcohols (Guerbet alcohols) are converted in the presence of caustic alkali into the alkali salts of the corresponding .alpha.-branched aliphatic monocarboxylic acids. In a second step of the process (b), the .alpha.-branched aliphatic monocarboxylic acids are released from the alkali salts by soap splitting in the presence of an inert diluting agent.