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US 2014/0371484 A1Published application
Halogen-free catalyst system and method for producing benzoic acid
AssigneeEastman Chemical Company
InventorsMesfin Ejerssa Janka, Charles Edwan Sumner, JR., Stephanie Nicole Rollins-Testerman, Craig Steven Dunn
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Abstract
Disclosed is a halide-free catalyst system and method for oxidizing toluene to form benzoic acid in benzoic acid solvent. The catalyst system contains Co, at least one of Zr and Hf, and an alkali metal basic salt.
Claims25
A catalyst system for oxidizing toluene to benzoic acid in a solvent comprising benzoic acid, comprising:
- (a) a cobalt compound;
- (b) a zirconium compound or a hafnium compound or both;
- and
- (c) an alkali metal basic salt,
- wherein the molar ratio of alkali metal to cobalt ranges from 0.1:1 to 1:1, and
- wherein the catalyst system is free of a halogen compound as promoter.
3 more elements
A process for preparing benzoic acid from toluene, comprising:
- contacting toluene with an oxygen source in the presence of a catalyst system comprising (a) a cobalt compound, (b) a zirconium compound or a hafnium compound or both, and (c) an alkali metal basic salt in a solvent comprising benzoic acid at conditions effective to produce benzoic acid,
- wherein the molar ratio of alkali metal to cobalt ranges from 0.1:1 to 1:1, and
- wherein the contacting step is carried out in the absence of a halogen compound as promoter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.