METHOD OF PREPARING AND RECOVERING 2-METHYL-5-IODOBENZOIC ACID

Provided is a method of preparing and recovering 2-methyl-5-iodobenzoic acid. The method utilizes o-methylbenzoic acid as raw material, iodinating via iodine/potassium persulfate in a mixed acid solvent to obtain a mixture of 2-methyl-5-iodobenzoic acid, 2-methyl-3-iodobenzoic acid, and 2-methyl-3, 5-diiodobenzoic acid; refining to obtain 2-methyl-5-iodobenzoic acid and recoverable mother liquor, the recoverable mother liquor being a mixture of 2-methyl-5-iodobenzoic acid, 2-methyl-3-iodobenzoic acid, and 2-methyl-3, 5-diiodobenzoic acid; conducting catalytic hydrogenation and deiodination to recover o-methylbenzoic acid and iodide ions; and oxidating the iodide ions to recover iodine. The whole process is recycled. The preparation and recovery method has cheap and easily available raw materials, and is easy of operation, has low requirements for equipment, and is suitable for large-scale industrial production.