Process for the preparation of an aromatic carboxylic acid

A process for the preparation of an aromatic carboxylic acid which comprises oxidizing an alkyl aromatic compound by contacting the alkyl aromatic compound with an oxygen-containing gas at a temperature in the range of 80 to 250° C., in the presence of a solid catalyst of the formula [MxM′x′(O)(RCOO)nLn′]Yn″ wherein M and M′ are cobalt and manganese ions, x and x′ are each between 0 to 3, with the proviso that only one of x and x′ are 0, R is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group containing 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an aryl group with 1 to 3 benzene rings, substituted alkyl and aryl group;

• n is between 3 to 6, L is selected from the group consisting of RCOO, pyridine, nitrogen containing organic bases, H2O and organic solvent, Y is selected from the group consisting of a halide ion, ClO4−, BF4−, PF6−, BrO3−, n′ and n″ are each between 0 to 3, for a period of 45 to 240 minutes at a pressure ranging between 200 to 550 psig, and recovering the desired product.