Patent ID: 6248922
Filing Date: 2001-06-19
Classification: B01J,C07C

Abstract:
In a large scale reaction, a process for manufacturing 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutanoic acid or a salt thereof, comprising the steps of:providing a large scale reaction system comprising a reactor, a first temperature probe therein, and an associated recycle cooling loop comprising an outlet passage in fluid communication with the reactor, an external heat exchanger connected to the outlet passage, and an inlet passage connected to the external heat exchanger and the reactor, wherein a second temperature probe is provided on the outlet passage, and wherein a reactant solution can flow from the reactor through the outlet passage to the heat exchanger and then through the inlet passage to the reactor;charging the reaction system with a solution of oxidant;cooling the solution of oxidant to a temperature below 15.degree. C. by pumping the solution of oxidant through the external heat exchanger;feeding into the reaction system a large scale amount of 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pentanone; andrecovering 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutanoic acid or a salt thereof in yield of 0.33 or more pounds HMB per pound of 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pentanone.