Abstract:
An improved process for the continuous production of Alpha chloropropionic acid by reaction of propionic acid with chlorine in the presence of halides or acid halides of the elements phosphorus and sulfur at elevated temperature, the improvement consisting in carrying out the reaction in the presence of Alpha -chloropropionic acid as solvent and distilling the resultant reaction mixture using the gas formed in the reaction as carrier gas. Alpha -chloropropionic acid is used for the production of plant protection agents.
Abstract:
a ,a -Dichloropropionic acid is prepared by chlorinating a -chloropropionic acid at 160 DEG -180 DEG C., or chlorinating propionic acid at about 120 DEG C. to form a -chloropropionic acid and further chlorinating as above, in the presence of a compound RNHSO2X, where R is hydrogen or alkyl and X is hydroxy, alkoxy or a halogen. Specified catalysts are sulphamic acid, its acid chloride and its esters, e.g. H2NSO3CH3 and C2H5NHSO2Cl; these may be formed in situ, e.g. the last from ethylamine and sulphuryl chloride. Other organic additives which boil above a ,a -dichloropropionic acid and are soluble in the chlorination mixture may be present, e.g. aliphatic or aromatic sulphochlorides.