The invention relates to a method for separating formic acid from a reaction mixture by means of extraction, wherein, in addition to the formic acid, the reaction mixture comprises a polyoxometalate ion of general formula [PMo.sub.xV.sub.yO.sub.40].sup.n as a catalyst and a solvent that dissolves the catalyst, wherein 6x11, 16, x+y=12 and 3<n<10, wherein n, x, and y are each a whole number, wherein the separation occurs via extraction by means of a polar organic extraction agent which extracts the formic acid and the catalyst and which is N-(n-hexadecyl)formamide, N-di-n-acetamide or an N,N-dialkylcarboxamide, wherein the N,N-dialkylcarboxamide forms a phase boundary between the solvent and the extraction agent during mixing with the solvent.

The invention relates to a method for separating formic acid from a reaction mixture by means of extraction, wherein, in addition to the formic acid, the reaction mixture comprises a polyoxometalate ion of general formula [PMo.sub.xV.sub.yO.sub.40].sup.n as a catalyst and a solvent that dissolves the catalyst, wherein 6x11, 16, x+y=12 and 3<n<10, wherein n, x, and y are each a whole number, wherein the separation occurs via extraction by means of a polar organic extraction agent which extracts the formic acid and the catalyst and which is N-(n-hexadecyl)formamide, N-di-n-acetamide or an N,N-dialkylcarboxamide, wherein the N,N-dialkylcarboxamide forms a phase boundary between the solvent and the extraction agent during mixing with the solvent.

The invention pertains to method for recovering polycarboxylic acid from an aqueous mixture including the steps of: providing an aqueous mixture including polycarboxylic acid and at least 5 wt. % dissolved halide salt, based on the total weight of water and dissolved material in the aqueous mixture; extracting the polycarboxylic acid from the aqueous mixture into a first organic liquid including an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of ketones and ethers, thereby obtaining an organic polycarboxylic acid solution and an aqueous waste liquid including the halide salt; and extracting the polycarboxylic acid from the organic carboxylic acid solution into an aqueous liquid, thereby obtaining an aqueous polycarboxylic acid solution and a second organic liquid. The method according to the invention allows a combined purification and concentration step for feed solutions of polycarboxylic acids.

Provided herein are methods of producing acrylic acid from bPL. Such methods involve the use of a heterogeneous catalyst, such as a zeolite at vapor phase conditions. The method may use a fixed bed, moving bed or fluidized contacting zone as the reactor configurations.

Provided herein are methods of producing acrylic acid from bPL. Such methods involve the use of a heterogeneous catalyst, such as a zeolite at vapor phase conditions. The method may use a fixed bed, moving bed or fluidized contacting zone as the reactor configurations.

The present invention relates to a continuous recovery method of (meth)acrylic acid and an apparatus for use in the recovery method. A continuous recovery method of (meth)acrylic acid according to the present invention can ensure a high recovery rate of (meth)acrylic acid through a solvent recovering process in addition to enabling the stable recovery of (meth)acrylic acid and the operation of continuous processes.

The present invention relates to a continuous recovery method of (meth)acrylic acid and an apparatus for use in the recovery method. A continuous recovery method of (meth)acrylic acid according to the present invention can ensure a high recovery rate of (meth)acrylic acid through a solvent recovering process in addition to enabling the stable recovery of (meth)acrylic acid and the operation of continuous processes.

The present invention relates to a method for continuous recovery of (meth)acrylic acid and an apparatus used for the recovery method. The recovery method according to the present invention enables stable recovery of (meth)acrylic acid and the operation of a continuous process, while securing a high (meth)acrylic acid recovery rate through a solvent recovery process.

The present invention relates to a method for continuous recovery of (meth)acrylic acid and an apparatus used for the recovery method. The recovery method according to the present invention enables stable recovery of (meth)acrylic acid and the operation of a continuous process, while securing a high (meth)acrylic acid recovery rate through a solvent recovery process.

The present invention generally relates to processes for converting acrylate esters or a derivative thereof to difluoropropionic acid or a derivative thereof. This process is generally performed using fluorine gas in a hydrofluorocarbon solvent. In particular, a process for fluorinating a double bond is disclosed. This process comprises forming a reaction mixture comprising a hydrofluorocarbon solvent, fluorine gas, and a compound of formula 1 ##STR00001##
wherein R.sub.1 is hydroxy, alkoxy, chloro, or OC(O)CHCH.sub.2 to form a compound of formula 2 in a yield of at least 50% ##STR00002##
wherein R.sub.2 is hydroxy, alkoxy, chloro, OC(O)CHFCH.sub.2F, wherein the hydrofluorocarbon solvent comprises 2H,3H-decafluoropentane and the reaction mixture further comprises a fluorination agent.