PURPOSE: To obtain an aromatic carboxylic acid useful as a raw material for resins, pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals in high yield at a low cost by oxidizing a (partially oxidized) alkyl-substituted aromatic compound with molecular oxygen in an aqueous medium using a specific catalyst.
CONSTITUTION: The objective compound is produced by oxidizing (A) an aromatic compound having (partially oxidized) alkyl substituent with (B) molecular oxygen in (C) an aqueous solvent in the presence of (D) a hydrated ruthenium oxide [e.g. a compound of formula RuO2.nH2O ((n) is 0.5-10)] as a catalyst until the substituent of the component A is oxidized to carboxyl group. Preferably, the component D is an amorphous material having a BET surface area of ≥20m2/g, especially 30-200m2/g and the amount of the component D is 0.003-3 pts.wt. based on 100 pts.wt. of A+C. The reaction is carried out at 150-230°C for 1-5hr under 1-8MPa pressure.
MIZUHO YUUJI
HATANO MASAKATSU
SASAKI YASUYUKI
