| abstract |
1309451 Oxidation of xylene and/or toluate esters DYNAMIT NOBEL AG 1 June 1970 [31 May 1969 24 June 1969] 26372/70 Heading C2C A process for the oxidation of xylene and/or toluate esters to toluic acids and/or monoesters of benzene dicarboxylic acids respectively, said esters being of saturated C 1-5 alcohols, comprises conducting the oxidation at elevated temperature, e.g. 120‹ to 170‹ C. and pressure, e.g. 2 to 10 atmos. abs. in the presence of a heavy metal catalyst, e.g. a cobalt carboxylate, in a generally vertically disposed reaction vessel of circular cross-section, gaseous oxygen or gas containing gaseous oxygen being admitted to the liquid reaction medium through a gas inlet situated at or adjacent the base of the reaction vessel and substantially on the central axis thereof at a rate of 50-250 kg. per second per square metre of inlet. The preferred reactants are p-xylene and/or methyl p-toluate. |