Process for producing monocarboxylic and/or dicarboxylic acids

Abstract

A process for producing a monocarboxylic acid and/or a dicarboxylic acid by the reaction of a starting compound selected from among saturated hydrocarbons, .alpha.-olefins of 6 to 20 carbon atoms, saturated monocarboxylic acids and esters of the acids either with both of carbon monoxide and water at the same time or first with carbon monoxide and then with water, wherein the reaction of the starting compound either with both of carbon monoxide and water or with carbon monoxide alone is conducted in a strong acid solution containing a trifluoromethane-sulfonic acid catalyst and an alcohol and/or an olefin of 3 to 5 carbon atoms.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.