Abstract
Authors examined the product obtained by liquid phase oxidation of methacrolein, which was performed in benzene solution with copper naphthenate as catalyst at the reaction temperature of 3550°C.
Among the compounds found by gas-chromatographic analysis (column temperature : 135°C), O2, CO2, HCHO, CH3CHO, HCOOH and a few unknown compounds are considered to be formed by thermal decomposition of certain substance (perhaps peroxide formed in liquid phase) in the analytical apparatus.
Considerable amount of methacrolein, methacrylic acid and acetic acid determined by gaschromatographic method, exist in a free state in reaction medium.
Simultaneously with the start of reaction (stirring) oxygen absorption and methacrolein consumption are observed, and the formation of methacrylic acid begins after short time. In the absence of catalyst, no oxidation reaction occurs.
