Sorbic acid process
AssigneeMonsanto Company
InventorsJames P. Coleman, Richard C. Hallcher, Dudley E. McMackins
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Abstract
Butadiene and acetic acid are reacted with metal ion oxidant to prepare acetoxyhexenoic acids which are then converted to sorbic acid.
Claims19
A process for preparing sorbic acid which comprises reacting butadiene and acetic acid in the presence of acetic anhydride and one or more metal ion oxidants selected from manganese, vanadium and cerium ions at temperatures of about 60.degree. to about 250.degree. C. under conditions to produce acetoxyhexenoic acids, comprising 6-acetoxy-4-hexenoic acid and 4-acetoxy-5-hexenoic acid, effecting a separation so that the acetoxyhexenoic acids are substantially free from metal ion component, and converting the acetoxyhexenoic acids to sorbic acid by contact with an acid catalyst at temperatures of about 60.degree. to about 250.degree. C.
The process of converting acetoxyhexenoic acids, comprising 6-acetoxy-4-hexenoic acid and 4-acetoxy-5-hexenoic acid to sorbic acid which comprises contacting such acids with a strong acid catalyst at temperatures of about 60.degree. to about 250.degree. C.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.