Preparation of nitrite esters
AssigneeUnion Carbide Corporation
InventorsArthur R. Doumaux, Jr., James M. Downey, Joseph P. Henry, John M. Hurt
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Abstract
A vapor phase process for making methyl or ethyl nitrite from methanol or ethanol, respectively, by reacting a nitrogen oxide composition with methanol or ethanol.
Claims20
The process for making methyl or ethyl nitrite from methanol or ethanol, respectively, which comprises reacting in a reaction zone a molar amount of nitrogen oxide composition containing a nitric oxide to nitrogen dioxide molar ratio of greater than 1, in the vapor state, with a molar amount of vaporized methanol or ethanol wherein the molar ratio of methanol or ethanol to the combined molar amount of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide is greater than one, in the presence of an inert gaseous diluent for said reaction, at a temperature of between about 10.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C. for a period of time sufficient to form methyl or ethyl nitrite.
The process for making methyl or ethyl nitrite in the vapor state wherein:
- (a) methanol or ethanol is introduced under pressure into a body having an internal volume;
- (b) said alcohol is vaporized;
- (c) a nitrogen oxide having a nitric oxide to nitrogen dioxide ratio greater than 1 is introduced under pressure into said body;
- (d) the resulting mixture of steps (a), (b) and (c) is characterized as having a molar ratio of methanol or ethanol to nitrogen oxides of greater than 1;
- and
- (e) removing said methyl or ethyl nitrite from said body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.