| abstract |
A process for producing an alkoxyacetic acid which comprises contacting carbon monoxide with formaldehyde, an alcohol, water, and a catalyst comprising hydrogen fluoride in a reaction zone and under reaction conditions effective to form an alkoxyacetic acid including a temperature between 0°C and 100°C and a carbon monoxide partial pressure between 10 and 4000 psig. By using an excess of alcohol or omitting water, alkyl alkoxy ester, i.e., alkyl alkoxyacetate, can be produced. n Also, alkyl alkoxyacetate can be produced from dialkoxymethane by reaction of dialkoxymethane with carbon monoxide using hydrogen fluoride as a catalyst. |