Process for preparing carboxylic acids by catalytic oxidation of aldehydes

Abstract

A process for preparing carboxylic acids by the oxidative conversion of the corresponding aldehydes comprises oxidizing the aldehydes in the presence of a catalyst comprising the anion [Fe(CN).sub.5 H.sub.2 O].sup.-3. The catalyst may be selected from [Fe(CN).sub.5 H.sub.2 O].sup.-3, compounds that form [Fe(CN).sub.5 H.sub.2 O].sup.-3 under the reaction conditions, and their salts. The catalyst is useful for the oxidation of aldehydes with oxygen or oxygen-containing gases. The present process permits the use of lower reaction times and temperatures, and reduces the formation of undesirable reaction by-products.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.