# US 4,393,254 A · Process for the production of alkylene glycols

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- Number: US 4,393,254 A
- Document ID: US4393254A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/224,412
- Filed: 1981-01-12
- Granted: 1983-07-12
- Earliest claimed: 1981-01-12
- Assignees: Texaco Inc.
- Inventors: Fred L. Johnson, Jr.; Lewis W. Watts, Jr.
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4393254A

## CPC

- C07C 29/106: {of oxiranes}
- C07C: ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS

## Abstract

A process for the production of alkylene glycols is disclosed which comprises hydrating alkylene oxide in the presence of a partially amine-neutralized sulfonic acid catalyst.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A process for the production of alkylene glycol which comprises contacting water and an alkylene oxide in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a partially amine-neutralized sulfonic acid resin wherein the mole ratio of alkylene oxide to water ranges from about 2 to about 10, the temperature of reaction ranges from about 100.degree. to 200.degree. C. and the reaction pressure ranges from about 200 to 400 psi.

### Claim 2

A process for the production of alkylene glycol which comprises contacting water and an alkylene oxide in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a partially amine-neutralized sulfonic acid resin wherein the mole ratio of alkylene oxide to water ranges from about 2 to 5, the temperature of reaction ranges from about 100.degree. to about 125.degree. C. and the reaction pressure ranges from about 200 to 400 psi.

### Claim 3

A process for the production of alkylene glycol which comprises contacting water and an alkylene oxide in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a partially amine neutralized styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer having pendant sulfonic acid groups wherein the mole ratio of alkylene oxide to water ranges from about 2 to about 10, the temperature of reaction ranges from about 100.degree. to about 200.degree. C. and the reaction pressure ranges from about 200 to 400 psi.

### Claim 4

A process for the production of alkylene glycol which comprises contacting water and an alkylene oxide in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a partially amine neutralized styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer having pendant sulfonic acid groups wherein the mole ratio of alkylene oxide to water ranges from about 2 to 5, the temperature of reaction ranges from about 100.degree. to about 125.degree. C. and the reaction pressure ranges from about 200 to 400 psi.

### Claim 5

A process for the production of ethylene glycol which comprises contacting water and ethylene oxide in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a partially amine-neutralized sulfonic acid resin wherein the mole ratio of alkylene oxide to water ranges from about 2 to about 10, the temperature of reaction ranges from about 100.degree. to about 200.degree. C. and the reaction pressure ranges from about 200 to 400 psi.

### Claim 6

A process for the production of ethylene glycol which comprises contacting water and ethylene oxide in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a partially amine-neutralized sulfonic acid resin wherein the mole ratio of alkylene oxide to water ranges from about 2 to 5, the temperature of reaction ranges from about 100.degree. to about 125.degree. C. and the reaction pressure ranges from about 200 to 400 psi.

### Claim 7

A process for the production of ethylene glycol which comprises contacting water and an ethylene oxide in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a partially amine neutralized styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer having pendant sulfonic acid groups wherein the mole ratio of alkylene oxide to water ranges from about 2 to about 10, the temperature of reaction ranges from about 100.degree. to about 200.degree. C. and the reaction pressure ranges from about 200 to 400 psi.

### Claim 8

A process for the production of ethylene glycol which comprises contacting water and an ethylene oxide in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a partially amine neutralized styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer having pendant sulfonic acid groups wherein the mole ratio of alkylene oxide to water ranges from about 2 to 5, the temperature of reaction ranges from about 100.degree. to about 125.degree. C. and the reaction pressure ranges from about 200 to 400 psi.