Patent ID: 8080685
Filing Date: 2011-12-20
Classification: B01F,B01J,C07C

Abstract:
1. A method for producing benzoic acid or a 2-, 3- or 4-methylbenzoic acid isomer, comprising: forming a dispersion in a high shear device comprising a rotor/stator set having a rotor tip comprising oxygen-containing gas bubbles dispersed in either toluene or o-, m-, or p-xylene liquid phase, wherein said bubbles have a mean diameter less than 1 micron; and subjecting said dispersion to reaction conditions comprising pressure of less than 1013 kPa and temperature of less than 160° C., whereby at least a portion of said toluene or o-, m-, or p-xylene is partially oxidized to form benzoic acid or 2-, 3- or 4-methylbenzoic acid, respectively; wherein forming said dispersion comprises subjecting said oxygen-containing gas and said toluene or xylene to a shear rate greater than 20,000s