Process for the production of succinylosuccinic diester

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A process for the production of succinylosuccinic acid diester. The process includes reacting a ?-haloacetoacetic ester with a strong base. The reaction is conducted in the presence of at least one dispersing agent and an aqueous buffer solution of at least one inorganic salt at a pH of 8 to 10. The pH is kept constant during the reaction by the addition of a strong base as needed. The reaction is conducted at a temperature between -10° and 10°C. and preferably between -2° and 0°C. The succinylosuccinic acid diester can be isolated by any convenient method such as filtering or centrifuging it from the reaction solution.