Terephthalic acid synthesis in high-temperature liquid water

Jennifer B. Dunn, Philip E. Savage

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

49 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have completed an exploratory study of the synthesis of terephthalic acid via the partial oxidation ofp-xylene in liquid water at temperatures ranging from 250 to 350 °C. The reactions occurred in 1.54 mL stainless steel batch reactors, and the batch holding time was 60 min. We determined the influence of temperature, catalyst identity, p-xylene initial concentration, and oxidant initial coficentration on the yield of terephthalic acid and intermediate products. The catalysts included in this study were manganese bromide, cobalt bromide, manganese acetate, nickel bromide, hafnium bromide, and zirconium bromide. Hydrogen peroxide was the oxidant. The maximum yield of terephthalic acid, 49 ± 8%, occurred at 300 °C with manganese bromide as the catalyst. Other catalysts or catalyst combinations produced lower yields. Yields of terephthalic acid decreased as the oxidant-to-p-xylene ratio decreased, either by increasing the initial concentration of p-xylene or by decreasing the initial concentration of oxidant.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4460-4465
Number of pages6
JournalIndustrial and Engineering Chemistry Research
Volume41
Issue number18
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 4 2002

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry
  • General Chemical Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

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