Catalytic process for the conversion of ethyl benzene to equimolar amounts of vinyl acetate and phenol
AssigneeSuntech, Inc.
InventorsJames E. Lyons, George Suld, Robert W. Shinn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Equimolar amounts of vinyl acetate and phenol may be prepared by oxidation of ethyl benzene. The catalytic oxidation, of ethyl benzene, when carried out in the presence of acetic anhydride, forms phenyl acetate and ethylidene diacetate. Pyrolysis of these two intermediates yields vinyl acetate and phenol. In a further embodiment of this invention it has been found that persulfate promoters such as potassium persulfate, persulfuric acid, or Caro's dry acid are particularly effective promoters for this oxidation reaction.
Claims21
A process for the oxidation of ethyl benzene to form vinyl acetate and phenol which comprises:
- (a) oxidizing ethyl benzene with air or oxygen in the liquid phase at temperatures of from 140.degree.-300.degree. C. and at elevated pressures in the presence of a strong acid catalyst, acetic anhydride, and molybdenum trioxide to form phenyl acetate and ethylidene diacetate in approximately equimolar amounts, together with acetic acid;
- (b) separating and recovering said phenyl acetate and ethylidene diacetate;
- (c) pyrolyzing said phenyl acetate to form phenol and ketene;
- and
- (d) pyrolyzing said ethylidene diacetate to form vinyl acetate and acetic acid.
A process for the oxidation of ethyl benzene to form equimolar amounts of vinyl acetate and phenol which comprises:
- (a) oxidizing ethyl benzene with air or oxygen in the liquid phase at temperatures of from 140.degree.-300.degree. C. and at elevated pressures in the presence of a strong acid catalyst, acetic anhydride and a persulfate selected from the group consisting of sodium persulfate, potassium persulfate, persulfuric acid and Caro's dry acid to form phenyl acetate and ethylidene diacetate in approximately equimolar amounts, together with acetic acid;
- (b) separating and recovering acetic acid, phenyl acetate and ethylidene diacetate;
- (c) pyrolyzing said phenyl acetate to form phenol and ketene;
- and
- (d) pyrolyzing said ethylidene diacetate to form vinyl acetate and acetic acid.
A process for the oxidation of ethyl benzene to form vinyl acetate and phenol which comprises:
- (a) oxidizing ethyl benzene with air or oxygen in the liquid phase at temperatures of from 140.degree.-300.degree. C. and at elevated pressures in the presence of a strong acid catalyst, acetic anhydride, molybdenum trioxide and a persulfate selected from the group consisting of sodium persulfate, potassium persulfate, persulfuric acid, and Caro's dry acid to form phenyl acetate and ethylidene diacetate in approximately equimolar amounts, together with acetic acid;
- (b) separating and recovering said phenyl acetate and ethylidene diacetate;
- (c) pyrolyzing said phenyl acetate to form phenol and ketene;
- and
- (d) pyrolyzing said ethylidene diacetate to form vinyl acetate and acetic acid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.