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Abstract

A process for the production of an arylalkylpyruvic acid of the general formula: (R).sub.n --A--(CH.sub.2).sub.m CH.sub.2 COCOOH wherein: A represents an aromatic hydrocarbon radical containing 1 or 2 condensed benzene rings, each R, which may be the same or different, represents hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl radical with up to 4 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by a nitro group or by an alkoxy group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a halogeno, nitrile, nitro or alkylcarbonyloxy group, n is 0 or an integer from 1-3 when A contains one benzene ring, and n is 0 or an integer from 1-5 when A contains two condensed benzene rings and m is 1-20, which comprises carbonylating an arylalkyl halide of the general formula: (R).sub.n --A--(CH.sub.2).sub.m CH.sub.2 X where R, n, A and m are defined above and X represents halogen, by reacting the arylalkyl halide in a liquid solvent medium, with carbon monoxide at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalytic amount of a metal carbonyl compound and an alkali or an alkaline earth metal inorganic base.

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First Claim