Process for the manufacture of chloroprene

Abstract

An improved process for the catalytic dehydrochlorination of 3,4-dichlorobutene-1 with aqueous alkali, wherein the effluent from the dehydrochlorination reactor is separated into phases, and the organic phase is steam-stripped at low temperature (below about 80.degree. C.) to recover chloroprene product, while the steam stripper heels are returned to the dehydrochlorination reactor. A small portion of the heels are purged prior to being recycled. Most of the catalyst is recovered and returned to the reaction, but a small amount of make-up catalyst is added. Chloroprene made in this process is a valuable monomer which finds use in the manufacture of a broad line of synthetic elastomers of considerable industrial interest.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.