Process for Pd-catalyzed hydroxycarbonylation of diisobutene: acetic acid/diisobutene ratio

1. A process for the conversion of diisobutene to a corresponding carboxylic acid P1 comprising:

a) adding diisobutene, forming a reaction mixture,

b) adding a compound comprising Pd, wherein the Pd is capable of forming a complex,

c) adding the ligand L1:

Fe

d) adding acetic acid,

wherein the acetic acid is added in an amount in the range from 5 mol to 8 mol of acetic acid per mole of diisobutene, effective to enhance conversion of diisobutene to the corresponding carboxylic acid P1,

e) feeding in CO,

f) heating the reaction mixture such that the diisobutene is converted to the compound P1:

2. The process according to claim 1 ,

wherein the compound in process step b) is selected from:

PdCl 2 , PdBr 2 , Pd(acac) 2 , Pd(dba) 2 (dba=dibenzylideneacetone), or PdCl 2 (CH 3 CN) 2 .

3. The process according to claim 1 ,

wherein the acetic acid is added in an amount in the range from 6 mol to 7 mol of acetic acid per mole of diisobutene.

4. The process according to claim 1 ,

wherein the reaction mixture is heated to a temperature in the range from 80° C. to 160° C. in process step f).

5. The process according to claim 1 ,

wherein the CO is fed in in process step e) such that the reaction proceeds under a CO pressure in the range from 10 bar to 40 bar.

6. The process according to claim 1 ,

wherein the process comprises the additional process step g):

g) addition of sulfuric acid.