| abstract |
A new process for the production of salts of 1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylic acid corresponding to the following formula <IMAGE> (I) using as a starting material an isomer mixture of a 4-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolane and a 5-hydroxy-1,3-dioxane obtained by reacting glycerin with an aldehyde or ketone having the formula R1R2CO. The 4-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolane may be selectively oxidized from the isomer mixture in the presence of a platinum metal catalyst at an alkaline pH. The unreacted 5-hydroxy-1,3-dioxane may be extracted from the reaction mixture and the 1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylic acid salt isolated in pure form. |