Process for the preparation of esters or salts of aromatic or etheroaromatic acids

Abstract

This invention relates to the preparation of esters or salts of aromatic or etheroaromatic acids having formula Y--Ar--CO--OR (I), where: Ar represents an aromatic group constituted by one or more benzene rings, optionally condensed, or an etheroaromatic nucleus optionally condensed with one or more benzene rings; Y represents from zero to more substituents, equal or different, chosen among a halogen; an alkyl group having up to 6 carbon atoms; an alkoxy group having up to 5 carbon atoms; an ester group --COOR', where R' contains up to 5 carbon atoms; a hydroxyl group; a phenyloxy group, optionally substituted with groups inert under reaction conditions; a trifluoromethyl group; a nitrile group; an amidic group (--CONH.sub.2); an acetamidic group (--NH--CO--CH.sub.3); or an acyl group --CO--R", where R" represents a hydrocarbon group having up to 8 carbon atoms; R represents an alkyl group R.sub.1 having up to 5 carbon atoms or an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal M. These esters and salts (I) are obtained by reaction of a halide Y--Ar--X (II), where Ar and Y have the hereinabove defined meanings, while X is Cl, Br or I, with carbon monoxide, in an alcoholic solvent R.sub.1 OH (where R.sub.1 is an alkyl group having up to 5 carbon atoms) at atmospheric pressure and at temperatures ranging between -10.degree. and 60.degree. C. in the presence of an acidity-acceptor compound and of a catalyst constituted by a cobalt complex having formula (III): Z--Co(CO).sub.4 (III) where Z is a group chosen among CH.sub.3 ; CH.sub.2 F; CHF.sub.2 ; CF.sub.3 ; CH.sub.2 --CN; CH.sub.2 --COOR'", where R'" is an alkyl group having up to 8 carbon atoms or a benzene group, the latter optionally substituted with groups inert under reaction conditions; CH.sub.2 Ar', where Ar' is an aromatic group constituted by from one to three benzene rings optionally condensed and optionally substituted with groups inert under the reaction conditions, in particular with electron-attractor groups.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.