Patent ID: 8785686
Filing Date: 2014-07-22
Classification: B01D,B01J,C07C,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A process for the preparation of glycolic acid, comprising (A) contacting carbon monoxide with an aqueous formaldehyde reactant in the presence of an alkyl sulfonic acid catalyst containing from 1 to 5 carbon atoms to produce an aqueous glycolic acid mixture; and (B) recovering the alkyl sulfonic acid from the aqueous glycolic acid mixture by extracting the aqueous glycolic acid mixture with an extraction solvent comprising at least one tertiary amine, at least one onium carboxylate compound or a combination thereof; at least one modifier comprising an aliphatic carboxylic acid, an organophosphorus acid, or a combination thereof; and at least one diluent comprising carbon dioxide, an aliphatic hydrocarbon, a halogenated hydrocarbon, or a combination thereof to form an aqueous raffinate phase comprising a major amount of the glycolic acid contained in the aqueous glycolic acid mixture and an organic extract phase comprising a major amount of the acid catalyst contained in the aqueous glycolic acid mixture.