Integrated process for 5-(methoxycarbonyl)furan-2-carboxylic acid (mcfc)

A process for preparing a compound of the structural formula (I):

• the process comprising contacting a compound of the structural formula (II):
• with an oxidizing agent in the presence of an oxidation catalyst and a solvent, wherein:
• the oxidation catalyst comprises cobalt, manganese, and bromine;
• the solvent comprises a monocarboxylic acid having 2 to 6 carbon atoms;
• R1 is hydrogen, R3O—, or R3C(O)O—;
• R2 is an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms;
• and
• R3 is hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms;
• wherein R3 is hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and
• wherein R2 is not methyl group and wherein a portion of said solvent is recycled from purge process;
• wherein said oxidizing is conducted in an oxidation reactor previously used in a TPA production plant;
• wherein said compound II comprises MCFC.