METHOD FOR PRODUCING β-MERCAPTOPROPIONIC ACID

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for producing β-mercaptopropionic acid, industrially advantageously executable safely in a high yield in a reaction system of aqueous solution under a normal pressure. SOLUTION: This method for producing β-mercaptopropionic acid is characterized in that an aqueous solution of an alkali hydrosulfide and/or an alkali sulfide is reacted with an alkali acrylate in the presence of an alkali hydroxide, preferentially induced to a β-mercaptopropionic acid alkali salt and the β- mercaptopropionic acid alkali salt is neutralized with an acid. COPYRIGHT: (C)2001,JPO