| abstract |
The present invention relates to a solid terephthalic acid composition and a method for preparing terephthalic acid from para-xylene. The method comprises forming a mixture comprising para-xylene, a solvent, a bromine source and a catalyst; And oxidizing para-xylene by contacting the mixture with an oxidizing agent in oxidizing conditions to produce a solid oxidation product comprising terephthalic acid, para-toluic acid, 4-carboxybenzaldehyde. The solvent comprises a carboxylic acid and a dialkyl imidazolium ionic liquid having 1 to 7 carbon atoms and the catalyst is cobalt, titanium, manganese, chromium, copper, nickel, vanadium, iron, molybdenum, tin, cerium and zirconium It includes at least one of. The solid terephthalic acid composition comprises a 4-carboxybenzaldehyde content of less than about 4,000 ppm-weight and a para-toluic acid content of greater than about 2,000 ppm-weight. |