METHOD FOR OBTAINING ACETIC ACID DERIVATIVES

Method for obtaining acetic acid derivatives, such as glycin, IDA and NTA by dehydrogenation of mono-, di- and triethanolamine, respectively, in the presence of a Copper-Raney catalyst. Such method includes a step consisting in regenerating the catalyst spent in order to reuse it in successive reaction cycles. The regeneration method is comprised of the treatment of the spent catalyst with backflowing formic acid, filtering and repulping it with demineralized water and NaOH till the washing waters reach a sligthly alkaline value. The regenerated catalyst may be reused in successvie reaction cycles maintaining an average efficency of 87 %, that is to say of the same order of magnitude as when using a new catalyst.