Flexible method for the joint production of (i) formic acid, (ii) a carboxylic acid comprising at least two carbon atoms and/or the derivatives thereof, and (iii) a carboxylic acid anhydride

US7253316B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

• Jörg Pastre · Bensheim, DE
• Kai Michael Exner · Eppelheim, DE
• Wolfram Stuer · Würzburg, DE
• Elke Geissler · Ludwigshafen, DE
• Otto Machhammer · Mannheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 21, 2003
• Grant date: Aug 7, 2007
• Expiry date: Feb 2, 2024

Classification

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

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for jointly producing (i) formic acid (III); (ii) a carboxylic acid comprising at least two carbon atoms (II) and/or the derivatives thereof; and (iii) a carboxylic acid anhydride (VII). According to said method, (a) a formic acid ester (I) is transesterfied to formic acid (III) and the corresponding carboxylic acid ester (IV) by means of a carboxylic acid comprising at least two carbon atoms (II); (b) at least one portion of the carboxylic acid ester (IV) formed in step (a) is carbonylated in order to obtain the carboxylic acid anhydride (V); and (c) at least one portion of the carboxylic acid anhydride (V) formed in step (b) is further dehydrated by means of a carboxylic acid (VI) so as to form a carboxylic acid anhydride (VII) and the carboxylic acid (II).