A method for production of pivalic acid comprising the steps of: (a) reacting
isobutylene,
carbon monoxide, and a first catalyst to produce a reaction mixture; (b) contacting
the reaction mixture with water, thereby producing a crude acid product having
pivalic acid and oligomeric neo-carboxylic acid; (c) separating the pivalic acid
and the oligomeric neo-carboxylic acid from the crude acid product; (d) reacting
the oligomeric neo-carboxylic acid with a source of carbon monoxide at a temperature
of less than 200 C. in the presence of a second catalyst to produce a C5
carbocation product, wherein the first and second catalyst are either the same
or different; and (e) reacting the C5 carbocation product with water;
thereby producing pivalic acid having an overall yield of at least 80 wt. %.
