PURPOSE: To efficiently obtain the subject compound in high yield at a low cost by using a specific catalyst in oxidizing an aromatic compound containing an alkyl substituent group with a gas containing molecular oxygen in an aqueous medium.
CONSTITUTION: This method for producing an aromatic carboxylic acid is to oxidize an aromatic compound containing an alkyl substituent group or a partially oxidized alkyl substituent group (e.g. p-xylene) with a gas containing molecular oxygen in an aqueous medium using a compound in which a transition metal (preferably Cr, Mn, Fe, etc.) integrated into a heteropoly acid skeleton having a deficient structural site {preferably a deficient type hexametalate-form ion, etc., of the formula [M5O18]n- [M is Mo or W; (n) is an integer]} as a catalyst. Furthermore, the reaction is preferably carried out at 150-230°C under 10-80atm for 1-5hr and the amount of the catalyst used is preferably 100-5000ppm based on the reactional solution.
ASAHI YOSHIO
SASAKI YASUYUKI
