Oxidation of dicarboxylic acids in supercritical water

Sebacic and azelaic acids were oxidized in a batch reactor at 400°C to study the oxidation pathways and mechanisms of dicarboxylic acids in supercritical water. The reaction of dicarboxylic acids proceeds with the consecutive oxidation of higher to lower molecular weight dicarboxylic acids through α-, β- and γ-oxidations, as do monocarboxylic acids. The oxidation of dicarboxylic acids is also accompanied by decarboxylation, leading to the formation of monocarboxylic acids. Decarboxylation occurred only when some oxygen was supplied.