2155. MASON, R. B. (Standard Oil Development Co.). Preparation of Carboxylic Acids From Oxo Alcohol Esters. United States Patent 2,607,787, Aug. 19, 1952; appl. filed Aug. 1, 1950, Serial No. 176,975; 6 claims (Cl. 260-413). Chem. Abs., vol. 47, 1953, p. 6976.

Higher molecular weight, branched-chain fatty acids are prepared by subjecting a mixture of Oxo alcohols derived from an olefin stream, consisting predominantly of branched-chain olefins having 8-16 C atoms, to an esterification with a previously formed higher molecular weight fatty acid having 1 more C atom than the Oxo alcohol in the presence of an esterification catalyst (H₂SO₄ or BF₃) and at a temperature 150°-300° F. A mixture of organic esters is produced, which is subjected to a carboxylation reaction with CO in the presence of a metallic carbonyl carboxylation catalyst (Ni or Co carbonyl) at 200°-700° F. and 1,000-6,000 p. s. i. g. The resulting organic product containing acid anhydrides is hydrolized with H₂O to a mixture of fatty acids, which is separated by settling into the desired upper acid layer and a lower H₂O layer.