Synthesis of Petroleum Acids by Oxidation of Dearomatized Oil Distillate

Liquid-phase oxidation of dearomatized oil distillate from a mixture of Azerbaijan crudes in the presence of homogeneous catalysts based on Mn(II), Cr(III), and Со(II) bromobenzoates was studied. These catalysts allow preparation of synthetic petroleum acids and hydroxy acids in high yield (>40 wt %). The influence of the kind of the catalyst on the composition of the oxidation products was examined. Manganese(II) bromobenzoate showed the highest catalytic activity. We have determined for it the optimum process conditions at the feed rate of 300 L/(kg h) and atmospheric pressure: oxidation time 5 h; catalyst concentration 1 wt %; 140°С. The total yield of petroleum acids under these conditions was 46%.