Process for preparing beta-lactones
AssigneeNovomer, Inc.
InventorsJonathan D. Tedder, Geoffrey W. Coates
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed are methods which comprise the preparation of beta-lactones which provide for shorter reaction times with lower by-product formation. The method comprises contacting carbon monoxide with an epoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst to form a reaction mixture under conditions such that the carbon monoxide distributed throughout the reaction mixture and the reaction mixture is substantially saturated with carbon monoxide. The reaction conditions and reactor designs are chosen to distribute the carbon monoxide throughout the reaction mixture and to maintain the reaction mixture as substantially saturated with carbon monoxide. Under these conditions the formation of beta-lactones over the formation of by-products is favored.
Claims29
A method comprising contacting carbon monoxide with one or more epoxides in one or more liquid solvents in the presence of one or more carbonylation catalysts to form a reaction mixture in the liquid solvents, feeding gaseous carbon monoxide to the reaction mixture such that the reaction mixture is under a partial pressure of carbon monoxide of 1100 psi or greater and reacting the reaction mixture at a temperature of 90° C. or greater for from about 5 to 240 minutes wherein the reaction mixture is mixed and the carbon monoxide is distributed through the reaction mixture such that the reaction mixture is and remains substantially saturated with carbon monoxide wherein one or more beta-lactones are formed:
- wherein the one or more carbonylation catalysts is a cobalt carbonyl that is anionic and a Lewis acid that is cationic and is metal complex represented by [M′(L)b]c+ wherein, M′ is a aluminum, chromium or combination thereof;
- each L is a ligand;
- b is an integer of 1 to 6;
- c is 1, 2, or 3;
- and if more than one L is present, each L may be the same or different wherein ligand L is a dianionic tetradentate ligand, wherein the dianionic tetradentate ligand is a porphyrin derivative, salen derivative, dibenzotetramethyltetraaza 14 annulene derivative;
- phthalocyaninate derivative, derivative of the Trost ligand or combination thereof.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.