Preparation of alkoxyalkanoic acids

Abstract

This invention relates to 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 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 12 which comprises reacting the corresponding alkoxyalkanol with a solubilized stable free radical nitroxide having the formula: ##STR1## wherein (1) (a) 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 (b) R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 (i) each is an alkyl group having 1 to about 15 carbon atoms provided that when R.sub.1 -R.sub.6 are not all alkyl groups, or a substituted alkyl group having 1 to about 15 carbon atoms wherein the substituent is halogen, cyano, --CONH.sub.2, --OCOCH, OCOC.sub.2 H.sub.5, carbonyl, alkenyl wherein the double bond is not conjugated with the nitroxide moiety, or --COOR wherein R of the --COOR group is alkyl or aryl, or (ii) together form part of a ring that contains 5 carbon atoms and up to two heteroatoms of O or N, or (2) the ##STR2## moiety and the ##STR3## moiety individually are aryl, in the presence of a chlorine-containing oxidant at a temperature in the range of from about -10.degree. C. to about 35.degree. C. and thereafter separating out the alkoxyalkanoic acid.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.