Patent ID: 6765113
Filing Date: 2004-07-20
Classification: C07C,Y02P

Abstract:
A process for the production of an aromatic carboxylic acid comprising a carboxylic acid moiety that is directly attached to an aromatic ring structure consisting of carbon atoms, said process using an aqueous solvent comprising water under supercritical conditions or near supercritical conditions, wherein said process comprises contacting one or more precursors of the aromatic carboxylic acid with an oxidant that is dissolved in the aqueous solvent, in the presence of a catalyst, within a reaction zone of a continuous flow reactor, further wherein: (a) the solvent and the oxidant form a single homogeneous phase prior to contact with the one or more precursors; and (b) the one or more precursors, the oxidant and the solvent form a homogeneous phase in the reaction zone.