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US 4,873,378 AGranted
Process for making 1,3-diols from epoxides
AssigneeHoechst Celanese Corporation
InventorsMark A. Murphy, Brad L. Smith, Adolfo Aguilo', Kwoliang D. Tau
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process for manufacturing 1,3-glycols is disclosed. The process comprises reacting an epoxide with synthesis gas in the presence of rhodium and a phosphine.
Claims28
A single-step process for manufacturing 1,3-propanediol
- with CO and H.sub.2 in a ether reaction solvent, said process being characterized by reacting a reaction mixture comprising (1) ethylene oxide at a concentration from about 0.01 to about 30 weight percent;
- (2) rhodium at a molar concentration from about 0.00001 to about 0.1 molar;
- (3) a phosphine having the formula
- PR.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3 III
- wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are independently selected, from the group consisting of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon groups, the molar ratio of rhodium to phosphine being from about 10:1 to about 1:10;
- (4) water in an amount up to about 25 weight percent based on the weight of the reaction mixture;
- (5) CO;
- (6) H.sub.2 ;
- and (7) an acid, the molar ratio of acid to phosphine being from about 10:1 to about 1:10;
- wherein the molar ratio of CO to H.sub.2 is from about 10:1 to about 1:10, and wherein the reaction takes place at a temperature from about 50 to about 200.degree. C. under a pressure from about 200 to about 10,000 psig, for a period of time which is sufficient to form.
7 more elements
A single-step process for manufacturing 1,3-propanediol
- with CO and H.sub.2 in a ether reaction solvent, said process being characterized by reacting a reaction mixture comprising (1) ethylene oxide at a concentration from about 0.01 to about 30 weight percent;
- (2) rhodium at a molar concentration from about 0.00001 to about 0.1 molar;
- (3) a phosphine having the formula
- PR.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3 III
- wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are independently selected from the group consisting of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon groups, the molar ratio of rhodium to phosphine being from about 10:1 to about 1:1;
- (4) water in an amount from about 0.00 to about 25 weight percent based on the weight of the reaction mixture;
- (5) CO;
- (6) H.sub.2 ;
- wherein the molar ratio of CO to H.sub.2 is from about 10:1 to about 1:10, and wherein the reaction takes place at a temperature from about 50 to about 200.degree. C. under a pressure from about 200 to about 10,000 psig, for a period of time which is sufficient to form 1,3-propanediol.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.