Preparation of alkoxyalkanoic acids

Abstract

A process for the preparation of an alkoxyalkanoic acid of the formula RO(CH.sub.2 CHR'O).sub.n CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 H wherein R is an alkyl group of from 1 to about 22 carbon atoms, R' is hydrogen or methyl or mixtures thereof (on the individual molecule) and n is an integer of from 1 to about 20, which comprises reacting the corresponding alkoxyalkanol with a solubilized stable free radical nitroxide having the formula: ##STR1## wherein each of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is an alkyl, aryl or heteroatom substituted alkyl group having 1 to about 15 carbon atoms and each of R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 is alkyl, hydrogen, aryl or a substituted heteroatom, a NO.sub.x -generating compound selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal nitrosodisulfonate, nitric acid, nitrous acid and mixtures thereof, and a chloride ion-containing compound in the presence of an oxidant at a temperature in the range of from about 0.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C. and thereafter separating out the alkoxyalkanoic acid.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.