Process for catalytic oxidation of ortho-nitroaromatic compounds to ortho-nitroaromatic acids

A process for producing an ortho-nitroaromatic acid by oxidizing an ortho-nitroaromatic having at least one nitro group ortho to at least one methyl group which process comprises oxidizing said ortho-nitroaromatic with molecular oxygen in a reaction zone at a temperature within the range from about 250.degree. F. to about 400.degree. F. and a pressure from about 150 psig to about 400 psig in the presence of an inert reaction medium, while maintaining a liquid phase in said zone, in the conjoint presence of a co-oxidizable compound and a heavy metal catalyst and bromine, and subsequent to the oxidation of said ortho-nitroaromatic to an ortho-nitroaromatic acid elevating the temperature to a temperature within the range of from about 250.degree. F. to about 430.degree. F. to oxidize the remaining co-oxidizable compound, and recovering the ortho-nitroaromatic acid.

A process for producing ortho-nitrobenzoic acid, which process comprises reacting ortho-nitrotoluene with molecular oxygen in a reaction zone, containing an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid containing about 2 to about 4 carbon atoms, while maintaining a liquid phase in said zone, wherein para-nitrotoluene is added throughout the reaction and wherein the reaction is carried out in the presence of cobalt and manganese and bromine, said reacting being carried out at a temperature within the range of from about 250.degree. F. to about 360.degree. F. and a pressure of from about 150 psig to about 400 psig, after the ortho-nitrotoluene has been oxidized to ortho-nitrobenzoic acid, elevating the temperature to a temperature within the range of from about 380.degree. F. to about 410.degree. F. in order to oxidize the remaining co-oxidizable compound, and recovering the ortho-nitrobenzoic acid.