PROCESS FOR COMBINED PRODUCTION OF PHENYLACETIC ACID ESTER AND PHENYLACETALDEHYDE

PURPOSE:To improve the yield of the titled compounds, by reacting a benzyl halide with CO, H2, a basic substance and an aliphatic alcohol, distilling and concentrating the reaction mixture, washing the concentrate with an aqueous solution of a mineral acid, distilling the organic phase to obtain the titled substance, adding an acidic substance to the bottom residue, and distilling the residue again. CONSTITUTION:A mixture of the titled substances is is produced by reacting a benzyl halide with CO, H2, a basic substance and an aliphatic alcohol in the presence of a Co carbonyl catalyst. The reaction mixture is distilled to remove the unreacted substances, a low-volatile components, etc., and the obtained concentrate is washed with an aqueous solution of a mineral acid to transfer the inorganic salts in the aqueous phase. The organic phase is distilled to obtain the mixture of the titled substances as a distillate. An acidic substance is added to the distillation bottom residue to decompose the phenylacetaldehyde adduct, and the mixture is distilled again to recover phenylacetaldehyde. EFFECT:The ratio of the products can be controlled by selecting the reaction condition. USE:Intermediate of pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, perfumes, and dyes.