Investigation on oxidation of o-xylene in liquid phase to prepare o-toluic acid

Preparation of o-toluic acid from o-xylene over cobalt naphthenate catalyst in the presence of air in liquid phase oxidation was discussed. Experiments were conducted in a semi-continuous bubble bed reactor, and the effects of reaction conditions, such as temperature, pressure, air flow rate, and reaction time on the yield of o-toluic acid were evaluated. At a reaction temperature 130°C, pressure 0.25 MPa(g), air apparent velocity 0.011 m/sec, and a reaction time 5 hr, the o-toluic acid yield was 43.2 wt %.