Process for the production of methacrylic acid

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of making methacrylic acid, or a carboxylic derivative thereof, from itaconic acid, isomers, or precursors thereof. A starting material comprising an acid selected from the group consisting of itaconic acid, citraconic acid, mesaconic acid, citric acid, aconitic acid, isocitric acid and mixtures thereof, is subjected to contact with 0.1 eq. to 3.0 eq. of a base, at a temperature of 150°C to 350°C, under the influence of a transition metal-containing heterogeneous catalyst. A better yield at lower temperatures is achieved