Process for the synthesis of 9,9-bis(hydroxymethyl)fluorene
AssigneeSabic Global Technologies B.V.
InventorJaiprakash Brijlal Sainani
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a novel process for the synthesis of 9,9-bis(hydroxymethyl)fluorene. The syntheses from fluorene to 9,9-bis(hydroxy-methyl)fluorene via a hydroxymethylation and further to 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)-fluorene via a etherification are known. 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene is a compound that is used as an electron donor for Ziegler-Natta catalysts. The present invention is related to an improvement in the synthesis of 9,9-bis(hydroxymethyl)fluorene leading to a decrease in the amount of solvent used and an easier work up while achieving high yield and purity.
Claims20
A process for the synthesis of 9,9-bis(hydroxymethyl)fluorene from fluorene comprising providing a mixture of paraformaldehyde, dimethylsulfoxide, and toluene and a sodium alkoxide and adding fluorene as a solid to said mixture to obtain 9,9-bis(hydroxymethyl)fluorene.
A process for the synthesis of 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene from fluorene comprising:
- I) providing a mixture of paraformaldehyde, dimethylsulfoxide, toluene and a sodium alkoxide and adding solid fluorene to said mixture to obtain 9,9-bis(hydroxymethyl)fluorene;
- and
- II) providing an alkali metal hydroxide solution, mixing said solution with tetra-alkylammonium halide, 9,9-bis(hydroxymethyl)fluorene obtained in step I) and a solvent and adding dimethyl sulfate to obtain 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene wherein dimethyl sulfate is added in at least three portions wherein the reaction mixture is stirred for a certain period before the following portion is added.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.