Preparation of acrylic acid derivatives from α- or β-hydroxy carboxylic acids

US7538247B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corporation · US

Inventors

• Liliana Craciun · Carmel, US
• Gerald P. Benn · Heysham, GB
• John Dewing · Chester, GB
• George W. Schriver · Somerville, US
• William Peer · Red Bank, US
• Bernd Siebenhaar · Kandern, DE
• Urs Siegrist · Eiken, CH

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 30, 2005
• Grant date: May 26, 2009
• Expiry date: Jun 23, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C231/14
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention is directed to a process for the preparation of α,β-unsaturated acids, esters and amides from α- or β-hydroxycarboxylic acids or esters or precursors in high yields and high selectivity. The α,β-unsaturated acids or esters are optionally prepared in the presence of specific dehydration and/or esterification catalysts. The α,β-unsaturated amides or substituted amides are prepared optionally in the presence of a dehydration and/or amidation catalyst. The source of α- or β-hydroxycarboxylic acids or precusor is preferably from a renewable resource. The precursor is defined herein.