| abstract |
The present invention relates to a process for the production of hydroxycarboxylic acids by extraction from their dilute aqueous solutions and subsequent distillation of the extracts thus obtained, characterized in that a secondary amide of the general formula I is used as the extractant used in which R 1 is hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl or alkylhydroxy groups and R 2 and R 3 independently of one another are alkyl, cycloalky, aryl, aralkyl or alkylhydroxy groups with the proviso that the sum the C atoms of R 1 , R 2 and R 3 is 7 to 14. |