It takes 2-octanol as raw material, oxidized by nitric acid to produce caproic acid, in the presence of catalysts made up of such elements as vanadium, molybdenum, phosphorus etc. The technology of this invention is stable, and easy to control, and the output of caproic acid is as high as 88% (calculated with 2-octanol). The waste acid produced in the reaction process can be recycled. No waste heat, waste gas and waste water reappear. Caproic acid is widely used in industries of food, medicine and chemistry etc. For example, it may be used to produce ethyl capronate, a raw material for liquor essence; and tri-caproic glyceride produced by caproic acid is the main additive in processing artificial cream or milk. In addition, caproic acid can also be used as raw material of producing contraceptives and tinea drugs. |