Preparation of isovaleric acid

TLDR: In this article, one mole of methyl isobutyl ketone is reacted with 0.02-2mol of hydrogen peroxide, preferably a >= 10wt% solution, in the presence of an acid selected from sulfuric, perchloric, toluenesulfonic, and benzenesulfonic acids as an acid catalyst at 50-250 deg.C, to give isovaleric acid.

Abstract: PURPOSE:To obtain isovaleric acid useful as a raw material for perfumes, medicines, and pesticides at a low cost in one step, without using a heavy metal or corrosive material as a catelyst, by reacting methyl isobutyl ketone with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a specific acid catalyst. CONSTITUTION:One mole of methyl isobutyl ketone is reacted with 0.02-2mol of hydrogen peroxide, preferably a >=10wt% solution, in the presence of an acid selected from sulfuric, perchloric, toluenesulfonic, and benzenesulfonic acids as an acid catalyst at 50-250 deg.C, preferably 70-200 deg.C, to give isovaleric acid. Preferably, the amount of water is small, and the reaction is carried out while distilling off the water. For industrial practice, water is evaporated as an azeotropic mixture with methyl isobutyl ketone or a solvent, and distilled off the system.