In order to obtain fundamental knowledges on the manufacturing of lower fatty acids, especially of formic acid and acetic acid, by liquid phase air oxidation of petroleum and other saturated hydrocarbons, the effects of reaction factors on the oxidation of
n-paraffinic type hydrocarbons at 130-180°C and at a partial pressure of oxygen below 10.2 atm (calculated for 0°C) have been investigated.
For obtaining higher yield of the sum of formic acid and acetic acid, using of raw materials having carbon atoms less than 12 with higher partial pressure of oxygen was favorable and this tendency was greater in the case of using the lower range of partial pressure of oxygen.This oxidation was composed of many competitive reactions and the amount and the yield of the sum of formic acid and acetic acid was increased with the progress of oxidation. The formation of 15-20% of formic acid and 50-70% by wt.of acetic acid from n-pentane without catalyst or with Mn catalyst was possible. Heretofore known statements that there was not much formation of lower fatty acids from
n-paraffinic hydrocarbons were, therefore, found to he erroneous.
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