Process for producing α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for enhancing a yield of an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid obtained by liquid-phase oxidation reaction of an olefin or an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde. In particular, there is provided a method for producing an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid, wherein the method includes the step of carrying out oxidation reaction of an olefin or an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde in a liquid phase to obtain a reaction mixture containing an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid and an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydride and the step of bringing the α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydride into contact with an alcohol or water to obtain an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid resulting from decomposition of the α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydride.