Patent ID: 6320061
Filing Date: 2001-11-20
Classification: C07D

Abstract:
A process for recovering an organic acid or a metal salt from an alcoholic phase comprising:(a) providing an alcoholic phase comprising (i) at least one organic acid selected from the group consisting of ascorbic and erythorbic acids and mixtures thereof or metal salt(s) thereof and (ii) at least one alcohol, wherein the organic acid or metal salt(s) thereof are at least partially soluble in the at least one alcohol;(b) contacting the alcoholic phase with water under conditions effective to provide an aqueous phase containing at least a portion of the organic acid(s) or metal salt(s) thereof, which aqueous phase does not contain substantial amounts of the at least one alcohol, wherein the ratio of water: alcohol in the aqueous phase is from about 50:50 to 97:3 by weight; and(c) recovering at least a portion of the organic acid(s) or metal salt(s) thereof from the aqueous phase.