| Abstract: | Liquid phase oxidation of p-xylene to terephthalic acid by air in the presence of solvent acetic acid and a relatively large amount of cobalt acetate as catalyst has been investigated in the absence of any promoter at 100–130°C and a pressure of 2.5–10 kg cm?2. The effect of temperature, catalyst concentration, p-xylene concentration, air flow rate, pressure, reaction period and addition of small amounts of zirconium salts, etc., on the conversion to terephthalic acid has been studied. p-Toluic acid, which is an intermediate in the process, was the only major by-product. The possibility of recycling the mother liquor after the separation of the product was ascertained. |
