Ammonia → Maleic Anhydride

Participants

Reaction Steps

The process of the present invention will now be described in detail. First, an aqueous solution of maleic acid or maleic anhydride is prepared. Then, an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide or aqueous ammonia is added to the solution in a quantity equimolar to maleic acid or maleic anhydride or a quantity excess by up to 10 molar % to obtain an aqueous solution of a monoalkali metal maleate or monoammonium maleate having a pH of 3.5 to 5.0. A polymerization initiator preferably in an amount of 0.02 to 0.6 mol, particularly 0.05 to 0.4 mol, per mol of the monomer, is added to the aqueous solution at once or in portions. The polymerization is carried out at 80° to 180° C., preferably 100° to 150° C.

Provenance & Evidence