Method for producing 2-methylbutyric acid having a reduced content of 3-methylbutyric acid from the secondary flows arising in the production of pentanoic acids

US9896406B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• OXEA GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Jens Theuerkauf · Riedstadt, DE
• Heinz Strutz · Usingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 14, 2014
• Grant date: Feb 20, 2018
• Expiry date: Nov 14, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C51/44
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for preparing 2-methylbutyric acid having a reduced content of 3-methylbutyric acid from the secondary streams obtained in the preparation of pentanoic acids, includes generating a stream enriched with 2-methylbutanal and 3-methyl-butanal. The stream enriched with 2-methylbutanal and 3-methylbutanal of step is reacted with formaldehyde. The reaction with formaldehyde is followed by removal of the organic phase and selective hydrogenation in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst with hydrogen at elevated temperature and elevated pressure and, after removal of the hydrogenation catalyst, treatment of the hydrogenation output obtained with an oxidizing agent.