Patent ID: 7038072

Claim:
A process for producing a ω-alkyl halide nitrile or ω-halogen carboxylic acid, comprising: a) reacting a malonic acid diester or cyanoacetic acid ester with a α,ω-dihalogen alkane, wherein: i) the two halogen atoms in said α,ω-dihalogen alkane are separated by a chain of at least 3 carbon atoms; ii) the reaction is carried out in the presence of one or more alkali carbonates or alkaline earth carbonates and a phase transfer catalyst with the constant removal of water formed during the reaction; and iii) said one or more alkali carbonates or alkaline earth carbonates are, when added together, present in a molar ratio to the malonic acid diesters or cyanoacetic acid esters of greater than 0.6:1; and b) saponifying and decarboxylating reaction products produced in step a).