Exxonmobil Research and Engineering Company

Jarid M Metz

Jihad Mohammed Dakka

Stephen Zushma

Bryan A Patel

Michael Salciccioli

Victor DeFlorio

Michael W Weber

Michael P Lanci

Joshua W Allen

A process for selective oxidation of dimethyl-1,1'-biphenyl to form methyl-1,1&#x2032;-biphenyl mono-carboxylic acid(s), comprising contacting a solution of dimethyl-1,1&#x2032;-biphenyl in acetic acid solvent in the presence of a Co(II) acetate catalyst and air, and optionally adding a co-solvent, or adding sodium or potassium acetate, and oxidizing the dimethyl-1,1&#x2032;-biphenyl under time and temperature conditions sufficient to form one or more methyl-1,1&#x2032;-biphenyl mono-carboxylic acid(s). The mono-carboxylic acids are advantageously isolated and esterified to form biphenyl mono-esters for use as plasticizers.

Selective aerobic oxidation of dimethylbiphenyls

A process for selective oxidation of dimethyl-1,1'-biphenyl(s) to form methyl-1,1&#x2032;-biphenyl mono-carboxylic acid(s), which can be esterified to form plasticizers, comprising contacting a solution of dimethyl-1,1&#x2032;-biphenyl(s) in acetic acid in the presence of an oxidation catalyst and air under time and temperature conditions sufficient to oxidize the dimethyl-1,1&#x2032;-biphenyl(s) into one or more methyl-1,1&#x2032;-biphenyl mono-carboxylic acid(s) products, conducting at least one of (i) adding an antisolvent, or (ii) optimizing a total conversion of dimethyl-1,1&#x2032;-biphenyl(s) by oxidation based upon a molar ratio of dimethyl-1,1&#x2032;-biphenyl isomers, or (iii) precipitating the methyl-1,1&#x2032;-biphenyl mono-carboxylic acid(s) products by lowering the temperature, or (iv) decreasing the oxidation reaction temperature to enhance conversion of aldehydes over methyl functional groups, so as to limit over-oxidation of the dimethyl-1,1&#x2032;-biphenyl(s), wherein the oxidation reaction is conducted in the absence of bromide-containing catalysts.

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Doylestown, PA, United States of America

Jarid M Metz