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Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for cleaving a (meth)acrylic acid oligomer of structure I wherein R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 alkyl groups, R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and n is a whole number within the range between 1 and 200, optionally in the presence of a cleaving agent of the structure R.sub.3--OH or of the structure (R.sub.4).sub.2--N--H, whereby R.sub.3 is a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1 to C.sub.12 alkyl group, or a --C.sub.xH.sub.2x--OH-- group, whereby x is a whole number within a range from 1 to 12, and R.sub.4 is a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.12 alkyl group, with the proviso that not both R.sub.4 groups are hydrogen atoms, whereby the (meth)acrylic acid oligomers are heated with the cleaving agent to a temperature of at least 50.degree. C. at a pressure of at least 1 bar. The present invention also relates to the use of water, optionally with a protic compound as cleaving agent for cleaving (meth)acrylic acid oligomers, a device for (meth)acrylic acid synthesis, the use of this device for production of (meth)acrylic acid, as well as (meth)acrylic acid which has been produced using this device.

First Claim