abstract |
A process to manufacture a carboxylic acid salt is disclosed wherein an aqueous solution of a primary alcohol is contacted with a base hydroxide in the presence of an effective amount of a catalyst consisting essentially of an alkali resistant support, from about 0.05 wt. % to about 10 wt. %, based on the total weight of the catalyst, of an anchor metal is selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, ruthenium, and gold, and between about 1 wt. % and about 50 wt. %, based on the total weight of the catalyst, of an element selected from the group consisting of copper, cobalt, nickel, and cadmium combined with the anchor metal. |