KR850000513B1 - Process for the preparation of an inert organic solvent of alkalihydroxide - Google Patents

Abstract

Inert organic solvent(A), dispersed with alkali metal hydroxide(B), is prepared by mixing (A) and (B), heating the mixture to 120-160≰C to prepare a paste, agitating the obtained paste, and cooling the dispersed mixture under a continuous agitating condition. (A) is selected from xylene, chlorobenzene, chlorotoluene, toluene, chloroform, or carbon tetrachloride. The particle diameter of dispersed (B) is 100 mμ -10μ . Product is used in the preparation of methylene organic alkylated compds. used as intermediates in agricultural chemical or pharmaceutical agents.

Description

Method for preparing inert organic solvent dispersion of alkali metal hydroxide

The present invention relates to a process for preparing an inert organic solvent dispersion of an alkali metal hydroxide as a dividing application of Patent Application No. 3330 of 1979. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for preparing an inert organic solvent dispersion of particulate alkali metal hydroxide having a unit of μm in μm such as 100 μm to 500 μm.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a process for preparing an inert organic solvent dispersion used for the production of methylene organoalkylides useful as intermediates of pesticides and pharmaceuticals by reacting an active methylene compound with a halogenated organoalkyl.

Conventionally, since alkali metal hydroxide has strong hygroscopicity, it was difficult to obtain particulate alkali metal hydroxide.

In the condensation reaction, which is a reaction between a halide and a compound having an active hydrogen atom, base aqueous solutions such as alkali metal hydroxides and carbonates have been used.

In the case of using a base aqueous solution for condensation reactions such as hydrogen dehalogenation or the like, the product may decompose due to the base aqueous solution. In order to overcome this problem, it has been considered that a solid base such as alkali metal hydroxides or carbonates should be used. However, alkali metal hydroxides are hygroscopic and insoluble in inert organic solvents.

However, these conventional methods are not satisfactory as industrial methods because of their various drawbacks. In other words,

(1) Because the condensing agent reacts remarkably with water, the incorporation of water decreases the activity of the condensing agent, which reduces the yield of the target compound. The reaction operation is very demanding and disadvantageous.

(2) Because of the use of aprotic polar solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide, which are expensive and water-soluble, they are difficult to recover.

(3) As it uses expensive and water-soluble quaternary ammonium as a catalyst, it causes environmental pollution by increasing nitrogen concentration in rivers, sea areas and lakes. .

The present inventors have conducted research in order to overcome these drawbacks of the conventional methods.

The preparation of methylene organoalkyl compounds by reacting an active methylene compound with a halogenated organoalkyl in the presence of an alkali metal hydroxide has been known.

(1) The reaction is carried out in the presence of alkali metal hydroxides (Organic reactions vol. 9, p. 107).

(2) This reaction is carried out in a reaction medium of an aprotic polar solvent such as dimethyl sulfoxide (J. Org. Chem Vol. 34, p. 226, 1969).

(3) The reaction is carried out in the presence of a catalyst in quaternary ammonium (Acta. Chem. Scaud. Vol. 23, p. 2204, 1969; Tetrahedron Lett, vol. 15, 1273, 1973; Tetrahedron, vol. 32, 2235). , 1976).

One important example of reacting an active methylene compound with a halogenated organoalkyl is to prepare α-isopropyl halophenylacetonitrile, for example

(1) A method of reacting in the presence of an alkali metal, an alkali metal alcoholate, an alkali metal halide or an alkali metal amide as a condensing agent (Japanese Patent Publication No. 5350/1975)

(2) A method of reacting alkali metal hydroxides as condensing agents in the presence of them using dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethylformamide as reaction solvents, respectively (JP-A-154154 / 1975).

(3) A method of reacting alkali hydroxides as condensing agents and quaternary ammonium salts as catalysts in the presence thereof (Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 63145/1976) and the like are known.

An object of the present invention relates to a method for producing an organic solvent dispersant of particulate alkali metal hydroxides having a particle diameter of 100 μm to 500 μ.

Another object of the present invention relates to a method for preparing an inert organic solvent dispersant of an alkali metal hydroxide used in the condensation reaction between a halogenated compound and a compound having active hydrogen.

These and other objects of the present invention have been achieved by heating and stirring a mixture resulting from mixing a solid alkali metal hydroxide with an inert organic solvent, followed by cooling to a dispersion.

The heating operation of the mixture is carried out to form a paste-like alkali metal hydroxide in an inert organic solvent, the stirring operation is carried out to form fine monometallic hydroxide, and the stirring operation is continued even after the start of the cooling operation, and a stabilizer is added. It is desirable to.

The reaction between the active methylene compound and the halogenated organoalkyl is carried out using an inert organic solvent dispersion of particulate hydroxide, thereby recovering a catalyst such as a quaternary ammonium salt without using an expensive aprotic polar solvent such as dimethyl sulfoxide. It is possible to obtain a high purity methylene organoalkyl compound without high work.

Dispersions of alkali metal hydroxides are prepared using an inert organic solvent suitable for the formation of a paste-like alkali metal hydroxide under heating by swelling the alkali metal hydroxide in a solvent. It is preferable that this inert organic solvent can be used under atmospheric pressure.

The manufacturing operation of a dispersion liquid is explained in full detail as follows.

Suitable inert organic solvents include aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene and xylene, halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons such as chlorobenzene and chlorotoluene, halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons such as chloroform and carbon tetrachloride and boiling points of 100 캜 or higher, preferably There are other solvents that are at least 120 ° C.

The stirring structure can be easily performed, and the hygroscopicity of the alkali metal hydroxide can be prevented by stirring the solid alkali metal hydroxide in the inert organic solvent, and the physical properties of the particulate alkali metal hydroxide can be improved.

The amount of inert organic solvent should be sufficient to stir the mixture, preferably at least twice the amount of alkali metal hydroxide.

Examples of stabilizers include compounds having the following structural formulas, polyoxyethylene type nonionic surfactants, fatty acid sorbitan esters, fatty acid glycerol monoesters, fatty acid sugar esters, quaternary ammonium salts, fatty amines, and perfluoroalkyls. Surfactants.

In the formula, R and R 'are each a hydrogen atom or a C _{1 to} C ₄ alkyl group, X is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, and m and n are each 1 or 1 or more numbers.

Suitable stabilizers include monoalkylglycols such as monomethyl, monoethyl and monopropyl or monostearylglycol ethers, dialkylglycol ethers such as dimethyl, diethyl and dipropyl or dibutylglycol ethers, Polymethylene glycol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, hexaethylene glycol, pentaethylene glycol, isopropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene Glycols, such as glycol, tripropylene glycol, tetrapropylene glycol, and polypropylene glycol, monoalkyl sulfides, such as 1, 4- butanediol, polyvinyl ether, monomethyl, monoethyl, and monopropyl, and mono Dialkyl sulfides, such as butyl sulfides, dimethyl, diethyl, and dipropyl, dibutyl sulfides, ethylene thioglycol, and diethylene Thioglycolycol such as thioglycool, triethylene thioglycool, tetraethylene thioglycool, polyethylene thioglycohol, polymethylenethioglycool, polyoxyethylene type nonionic surfactants, fatty acid sorbitan esters, fatty acid glycerol Monoesters, sugar esters, fatty amines, quaternary ammonium salts and perfluoroalkyl surfactants.

Suitable polyoxyethylene type nonionic surfactants include polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers such as polyoxyethylene dodecyl ether, polyoxyethylene octadecyl ether and polyoxyethylene nonyl ether, and polyoxyethylene such as polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether. Polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters such as alkyl aryl ethers, stearic acid polyoxyethylene and distearic acid polyoxyethylene, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate,-monopalmylate,-monostearate,-monooleate, -tri Stearates and trioleates are monooxyethylene

Suitable fatty acid sorbitan esters include sorbitan monolaurate,-monopalmylate,-monostearate,-monooleate,-tristearate,-trioleate and-sesquioleate.

Suitable fatty acid esters include glycerol monostearate and glycerol monooleate.

Suitable fatty acid amines include oleyldimethylamine, palm oil dimethylamine and lauryldimethylamine.

Suitable quaternary amines are lauryltrimethylammonium chloride and stearyl trimethylammonium chloride and alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chloride.

Suitable perfluoroalkyl surfactants include sulfonic acid perfluoroalkyls such as sulfonic acid perfluorooctyl, perfluorooctylsulfonylamine hydrohalide, perfluorooctylsulfonylpropylamine ethylenedioxide adduct and -sulfonyl Perfluoroalkylsulfonyl amine derivatives such as benzylamine ethylene oxide adduct.

The stabilizer amount is usually at least 0.001% by weight, more preferably at least 0.001% by weight, particularly preferably at least 0.01% by weight relative to the alkali metal hydroxide.

Stabilizers may be used by mixing the above components.

By adsorbing a stabilizer on the surface of the particulate alkali hydroxide to prevent solidification of the alkali metal hydroxide dispersed in the inert solvent, it is possible to improve the formation of the particulate alkali metal hydroxide and to prevent the precipitation of the alkali metal hydroxide on the inner wall of the reactor. .

The stabilizer should be hydrophilic so that it can be adsorbed onto the surface of the alkali metal hydroxide in an inert organic solvent that is not a hydrophilic solvent.

The heating and stirring of the mixture of the alkali metal hydroxide and the inert organic solvent is preferably performed near the boiling point of the solvent, and when using the inert organic solvent having a low boiling point, it is preferable to carry out under high pressure. Moreover, it is preferable to carry out by stirring at the temperature of 120 degreeC or more under atmospheric pressure, and it can carry out by reducing a temperature under high pressure.

Agitation should be carried out sufficiently to disperse alkali metal hydroxides in an inert organic solvent, with or without a stabilizer.

The stirring method is not so important, and the dispersion effect of the alkali metal hydroxide can be sufficiently obtained by using a suitable stirrer, homomixer, ultrasonic disperser, or jet disperser.

In the case of using a stirrer, the rotation speed of the stirrer is preferably 500 r · p · m or more, and more preferably 1000 r · p.m or more.

If a homogenizer is used, the stirring speed should be 3000r.p.m. That is, it can be set as 10,000 r.p.m.

In order to disperse | distribute an alkali metal hydroxide by an ultrasonic dispersion sculpture or a jet dispersion operation, it is preferable to carry out a mechanical stirring operation in parallel.

The melting point of alkali metal hydroxides is usually 360.4 ° C. for potassium hydroxide and 328 ° C. for sodium hydroxide.

In the dispersion operation, the alkali metal hydroxide is dispersed below the melting point of the alkali metal hydroxide, but the alkali metal hydroxide is preferably pastic acid in an inert organic solvent under heating.

Dispersants of particulate alkali metal hydroxides having a unit of m μ to μ such as 100 μm to 500 μ can be obtained by the method of the present invention. That is, the fine alkali metal hydroxide powder can be obtained which can disperse | distribute an organic solvent and a dispersion liquid and disperse | distributing in a desired solvent by performing a filtration operation or a distillation operation. It is preferable to use an inert organic solvent for the reaction of a halogen compound and a compound having an active hydrogen atom.

The dispersion liquid in which the particulate alkali metal hydroxide is dispersed in the inert organic solvent can be used for a reaction without separation or exchange of the solvent.

By the method of the present invention, it is possible to easily obtain a dispersion of fine alkali metal hydroxides, that is, fine alkali metal hydroxide powders, and to prevent the adhesion of alkali metal hydroxides to the inner wall of the reactor. It is an effect.

The particle size of the particulate alkali metal hydroxide to be produced can be obtained by adjusting the stirring method to 100 μm to 500 μ.

Dispersions of fine alkali metal hydroxides are quite effective for condensation reactions such as alkylation, in particular alkylation which introduces activated methylene groups.

Inert solvent dispersions of alkali metal hydroxides are new important reactants for the reaction of activated methylene compounds with halogenated organoalkyls.

Halogenated organoalkyl is added to an inert organic solvent dispersion of alkyl hydroxide, and an active methylene compound is added thereto to react them.

The reaction between the active methylene compound and the halogenated organoalkyl is carried out as a condensing agent in a dispersion of alkali metal hydroxide particulates having a particle size of several hundred microns.

It is preferable to use a dispersion liquid in which fine potassium hydroxide is dispersed in an inert organic solvent. This reaction is carried out slowly without any condensation agent, or with no specific solvent or particular catalyst, and high purity [alpha] -isopropyl halophenylacetonitrile is obtained in high yield.

In the process of the present invention, the dispersion of fine alkali metal hydroxides is mixed with an organoalkyl halide, followed by addition of an active methylene compound to react them.

The reaction temperature is in the range of 0 to 150 ° C., but is preferably in the range of 20 to 60 ° C., and the reaction is carried out at atmospheric pressure or under pressure, and the reaction time is preferably 0.5 to 1 hour, but not very important.

The reaction solvent is not very important and inert organic solvents such as benzene, toluene, xylene, chlorobenzene and dichlorotoluene are preferred.

The dispersion of alkali metal hydroxide is mixed with an alkali metal hydroxide such as potassium hydroxide, a stabilizer, and an inert organic solvent such as benzene, toluene, xylene, chlorobenzene and dichlorotoluene, and the mixture is heated and stirred to perform alkali metal hydroxide. It can be obtained by dispersing and cooling.

As stabilizers, compounds having the following structural formulas, polyoxyethylene type nonionic surfactants, fatty acid sorbitan esters, fatty acid glycerol monoesters, fatty acid sugar esters, fatty acid glycerol monoesters, fatty acid sugar esters, and class 4 Ammonium salts, fatty amines and perfluoroalkyl surfactants.

Wherein R and R 'are each a hydrogen atom or a C _{1 to} C ₄ alkyl group, X is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, and m and n are each 1 or 1 or more numbers.

The amount of particulate alkali metal hydroxide is used in 1 to 10 molar ratio with respect to active methylene compound, and it is preferable to use 3 to 6 molar ratio.

As the active methylene compounds, various compounds having an active methylene group can be used.

Suitable active methylene compounds include nitrile malonic acid, diethyl malonate, cyanoacetic acid, methyl cyanoacetate, acetylacetic acid, methyl acetylacetic acid, acetylacetone, phenylacetonitrile, 4-ethylphenylacetonitrile, 3,4 -Dimethylphenylacetonitrile, 3-trifluoromethylphenylacetonitrile, phenylacetic acid, 4-chlorophenylacetic acid, 2-bromophenylacetic acid, 4-ethylphenylacetic acid, phenylthioacetonitrile, α-methylphenylacetonitrile, α- Methoxyphenylacetonitrile, β-cyanophenylpropionnitrile, diphenylacetonitrile, propionaldehyde, cyclohexanone, and 2-methylcyclohexane

Suitable organoalkyl halogen compounds include alkyl halides such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, octyl and nonyl, dihalides such as dihaloethanes, dihalopropanes and polyhalobutanes; Aralkyl halides, such as trihalides, aralkyl halides such as benzyl halides, vinyl halides, alkylvinyl halides, haloacetonitriles, and haloacetates.

The organoalkyl compound is used in 1 to 5 molar ratio with respect to the active methylene compound.

Examples for the preparation of α-isopropyl halophenyl acetonitrile will be described in detail below.

A typical example of producing α-isopropyl halophenyl acetonitrile by reacting halophenyl acetonitrile with isopropyl halide is also described.

The alkali metal hydroxide dispersion in the inert organic solvent can be used in 1 to 10 molar ratio, preferably 3 to 6 molar ratio with respect to halophenylacetonitrile.

Suitable halophenyl acetonitriles include 2-chlorophenyl acetonitrile, 3-chlorophenyl acetonitrile, 4-chlorophenyl acetonitrile, 4-bromophenyl acetonitrile, 3-fluoroacetonitrile and 4-fluorophenyl acetonitrile There is this.

Suitable isopropyl halides are isopropyl bromide and isopropyl chloride.

Alkali metal hydroxides include sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide.

The method of the present invention is very effective, has the following remarkable effects compared to the conventional method, and has a considerable advantage over the industrial method. In other words,

First, the following structural formula wherein Y is a halogen atom

Almost no dimers of halophenyl acetonitrile having and the amount of other by-products are considerably small, so that high-purity target compounds can be obtained in high yield.

Second, since the aprotic polar solvent such as dimethyl sulfoxide is not used, the solvent can be easily recovered, and α-isopropyl halophenyl acetonitrile can be obtained by a low cost industrial method.

Third, since a catalyst such as a quaternary ammonium salt is not used, no operation for recovering the catalyst is required, and since wastewater treatment is easy, environmental pollution can be easily prevented.

Example 1

52.08 g of solid potassium hydroxide (96% KOH), 200 ml of xylene and 0.05 g of polypropyleneglycool (MW 1,000) in a 500 ml reactor with agitator-attached stainless steel (SUS) ash (0.1 wt% ratio to KOH) ) And heated to 140 ° C Stirred at 2,000 speed for 15 minutes, then cooled to room temperature with stirring to obtain a xylene dispersion of fine potassium hydroxide.

As a result of observing under a microscope, the particle size of the particulate potassium hydroxide was from 100mμ to 10μ, potassium hydroxide adhesion phenomenon could not be found on the inner wall of the reactor.

Example 2

A xylene dispersion of fine potassium hydroxide was prepared according to the method of Example 1 except that polyethylene glycool (M.W. 600) was used instead of polypropylene glycol.

The particle size of the particulate potassium hydroxide was 100 μm to 10 μ and no potassium hydroxide adhesion was found on the inner wall of the reactor.

Example 3

A dispersion of particulate sodium hydroxide was prepared according to the method of Example 1 except that solid sodium hydroxide was used instead of solid potassium hydroxide.

The result was the same as in Example 1.

Example 4

A xylene dispersion of fine potassium hydroxide was prepared according to the method of Example 1 except for stirring for 30 minutes using polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (E.O.20) instead of polypropylene glycol.

The particle size of the granular potassium hydroxide was 100 μm to 10 μ and no adhesion phenomenon of potassium hydroxide was found on the inner wall of the reactor.

Example 5

A dispersion of sodium hydroxide was prepared according to the method of Example 4 except for using solid sodium hydroxide instead of solid potassium hydroxide.

The result was the same as in Example 4.

Example 6

Each dispersion was prepared for particulate potassium hydroxide according to the method of Example 1 except that chlorobenzene, chlorotoluene, toluene, chloroform or carbon tetrachloride was used instead of xylene.

The result was the same as in Example 1.

Example 7

Example 1 except that stearic acid polyoxyethylene, polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether, polyoxyethylene dodecyl ether, sorbitan monolaurate, fatty acid sugar ester, or glycerin monostearate is used instead of polypropylene glycol Each dispersion was prepared for particulate potassium hydroxide according to the method.

The results were the same as those in Example 1, and the results were observed through a microscope by micrographs.

Example 8

In a 500 ml reactor made of stainless steel (SUS) with a homomixer, 52.08 g of solid potassium hydroxide 200 ml of xylene and 0.05 g of polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (EO 20) were charged and heated at 140 ° C. Potassium hydroxide was made into porridge.

The homomixer was spun for 30 minutes at a speed of 10,000 r.p.m. and the dispersion was cooled to room temperature with stirring.

When observed under a microscope, the particle size of the granular potassium hydroxide was 100 μm to 10 μ.

The adhesion of potassium hydroxide to the inner wall of the reactor could not be found.

Example 9

Except for using solid sodium hydroxide in place of solid potassium hydroxide according to the method of Example 8 to prepare a dispersion of particulate sodium hydroxide and observed the results were the same as in Example 8.

Comparative Example 1

A xylene dispersion of fine potassium hydroxide was prepared according to the method of Example 1, except using polypropylene glycol.

A particulate potassium hydroxide dispersion was produced, but no adhesion of potassium hydroxide to the inner wall of the reactor was found.

Comparative Example 2

A xylene dispersion of fine sodium hydroxide was prepared according to the method of Example 1 except that no polypropylene glycol was used and sodium hydroxide was used instead of potassium hydroxide. A dispersion of particulate sodium hydroxide was produced, but no adhesion of sodium hydroxide to the inner wall of the reactor was found.

Comparative Example 3

A xylene dispersion of potassium hydroxide was prepared according to the method of Example 1 except without using polypropylene glycol and stirring at room temperature.

The particles of potassium hydroxide were polygonal and bold.

Reference Example 1

In a 500 ml reactor made of stainless steel (SUS) with agitator, 52.08 g of solid potassium hydroxide (96% KOH), 200 ml of xylene and 0.05 g of polypropylene glycol (MW 1,000) (0.1% by weight of KOH) Charged and heated at 140 ° C., stirred for 15 minutes at a speed of 2,000 rpm and then cooled to room temperature with stirring.

A xylene dispersion of fine potassium hydroxide was obtained.

Charge 26 g (0.33 mole) of isopropyl chloride into the dispersion, and then add 34 g (0.22 mole) of 4-chlorophenyl acetonitrile dropwise at room temperature over 10 minutes while stirring the mixture. They were stirred for another 50 minutes at -80 ° C to react them.

After the reaction was completed, the reaction mixture was poured into 300 ml of water, the organic layer was separated, the xylene was concentrated and fractionated, and the product was distilled off under reduced pressure. 40.4 g of propyl-4-chlorophenyl acetonitrile were obtained.

Comparative Reference Example 1

50 g (0.89 mol) of potassium hydroxide was ground in 200 ml of xylene in the mortar to obtain a fine xylene dispersion of potassium hydroxide.

The procedure was repeated according to the method of Reference Example 1, except that the dispersion of particulate potassium hydroxide was used instead of the dispersion of particulate potassium hydroxide having a particle diameter of less than 100 mu in xylene, and the reaction time was changed to 8 hours. 29.8 g of α-isopropyl-4-chlorophenyl acetonitrile having a boiling point of 102 to 106 ° C / 1 mmHg (yield 70%) was obtained.

Reference Examples 2 to 6

By the method of Reference Example 1, the corresponding α-isopropyl halophenyl acetonitrile was obtained using halophenyl acetonitrile and isopropyl halide shown in the following table.

The results are shown in the table below.

[table]

Reference Example 7

The procedure was repeated according to the method of Reference Example 1 except that 0.05 g of polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate was used instead of polypropylene glycool as a stabilizer, and the boiling point was 104 to 106 DEG C / mmHg (yield 94%). 40 g of α-isopropyl-4-chlorophenylacetonitrile was obtained.

[Reference Examples 8-12]

The halophenylacetonitrile and isopropyl halides described in the table above were used by the methods of Reference Examples 2-6, except that polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate was used instead of polypropylene glycol as a stabilizer.

The results are shown in the table below.

[table]

Reference Example 13

1.26 g (0.33 mole) of isopropyl chloride was charged into a xylene dispersion of particulate potassium hydroxide having a particle size of less than 100 µ in the method of Example 1, followed by 37.5 g (0.22 mole) of 4-chlorophenyl acetate in 50 ml of xylene. The solution in which the solution was dissolved was added dropwise over about 10 minutes, and then the reaction was performed at 70 to 80 ° C. for 50 minutes.

After completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was poured into 300 ml of water, the organic layer was separated and concentrated to separate xylene, and the product was distilled off under reduced pressure. The melting point was 88-89 占 폚, and the yield was 91% isopropyl-. 43 g of 4-chlorophenyl acetate were obtained.

Reference Example 14

36 g (0.89 moles) of sodium hydroxide is used in place of 50 g (0.89 moles) of potassium hydroxide, and 40.6 g (0.33 moles) of isopropyl bromide is used instead of 26 g (0.33 moles) of isopropyl chloride. Reaction and operation were carried out in accordance with the method of Reference Example 13, and 38.0 g of α-isopropyl-4-chlorophenyl acetate having a yield of 81.2% was obtained.

Reference Examples 15 to 35

According to the method of Reference Example 13, active methylene compounds and halides shown in the following table were used, and the corresponding products were obtained.

The results are shown in the table below.

[table]

[table]

Claims (1)

Alkali metal hydroxides and an inert organic solvent selected from xylene, chlorobenzene, chlorotoluene, toluene, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride are mixed, and the mixture is heated to 120 to 160 DEG C to form a paste, which is stirred to give a particulate alkali. A method for producing an inert organic solvent dispersion of fine alkali metal hydroxides having alkali metal hydroxide particles having a particle size of 100 μm to 10 μ by cooling the mixture of the dispersed form under continuous stirring after obtaining a dispersion of metal hydroxides.