Glycolic acid prodn. from formaldehyde precursor and formic acid - in liq. phase over strong acid catalyst, useful e.g. in textile processing, as disinfectant etc. (BE 16.5.78)

摘要

Prepn. of glycolic acid (I) comprises reacting paraformaldehyde and/or trioxan with formic acid (II) in the liq. phase at 70-200 degrees C., esp. 90-180 degrees C. in the presence of a strong acid catalyst. Pref. the catalyst is H2SO4 or an organic sulphonic acid, and a pref. solvent is acetic acid. (I) is used in textile, leather and fur processing; in cleaning or plating metals; for disinfecting dairy equipment; for purifying drinking water sources; and for pH control in cooling water to reduce scale-formation in heat exchangers. Using (II) instead of CO improves safety of the process and allows lower pressures (even atmospheric) to be used.