Patent ID: 6492551
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
Method for industrial manufacturing alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal formate, starting from a formate anion, characterized in that the method comprises at least the following sequentially performed steps:A) conversion of a solid strong-base anion exchanger to formate form by feeding into it a solution containing a formate anion, which replaces an anion less selective to the anion exchanger than the formate anion, B) exchanging the formate anion in the anion exchanger for a replacing anion by feeding into it an alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal salt solution of this replacing anion, which is more selective to the anion exchanger than the formate anion; C) recovering the alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal formate solution eluted from the anion exchanger during the exchange of the formate anion; and D) exchanging the replacing anion left in the anion exchanger in step B for an anion less selective to the anion exchanger than said replacing anion by feeding into the anion exchanger a solution of said less selective anion, which will be replaced in step A with the formate anion that is more selective to the anion exchanger; wherein all of the steps being conducted by feeding the solutions in a continuous flow through the anion-exchange material and repeating steps A through D several times in succession for the same anion exchanger.