Patent ID: 6548718
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: C07C,Y02P

Abstract:
A process comprising:continuously contacting, in a distillation column reactor comprising a reaction zone and a distillation zone, at least one, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic compound having carbon atoms in the range of 6 to 30 with an oxidation catalyst and an oxidant under conditions effective to hydroxylate said aliphatic compound thereby producing a hydroxylated product, while maintaining at least a portion of said aliphatic compound in a liquid phase; continuously separating said hydroxylated product from the un-reacted aliphatic compound in the distillation zone under conditions effective to vaporize said un-reacted aliphatic compound and maintain said hydroxylated product in a liquid phase; and recovering the said separated hydroxylated product from the distillation column reactor.