Wyckoff Chemical Company, Inc.

Albemarle Corporation

Andrew G Zeiler

James J Springer

Amit Thakkar

Mario E Lozanov

Bryce K Assink

Anthony F Skufca

A process for production of lower alkanoic acids. A reaction mixture comprising a substituted malonic acid, an acid catalyst, and a limited amount of water is heated to a temperature sufficient to hydrolyze and decarboxylate the ester. The reaction mixture is maintained at the temperature by periodic addition of limited amounts of water, and the reaction is continued for a period of time sufficient to remove substantially all of the alcohol and carbon dioxide generated by the hydrolysis reaction, thereby converting substantially all of the ester to alkanoic acid. The process is particularly useful for the production of valproic acid.

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South Haven, MI, United States of America

Andrew G Zeiler