Method of producing alkanesulfonic acid

US6531629B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

• Matthias Eiermann · Schifferstadt, DE
• Christian Tragut · Monsheim, DE
• Klaus Ebel · Lampertheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 15, 2001
• Grant date: Mar 11, 2003
• Expiry date: May 15, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C303/16
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention relates to a process for the prepartaion of alkanesulfonic acids, comprising the following steps:(a) oxidation of alkylmercaptans and/or dialkyl disulfides and/or dialkyl polysulfides having from three to nine sulfur atoms with nitric acid to form alkanesulfonic acids, water, nitrogen oxides and other byproducts,(b) regeneration of the nitrogen oxides obtained from step (a) with oxygen to give nitric acid and recycling of the nitric acid to step (a),where steps (a) and (b) are carried out in reaction chambers separate from one another.