Synthesis of lower aliphatic esters using heterpolyacids with an aldehyde-free product stream
AssigneeBP Chemicals Limited
InventorsSimon Frederick Thomas Froom, Stephen Robert Hodge, Bhushan Sharma
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Abstract
Process for the production of lower aliphatic esters by bringing together in an addition reaction a lower olefin and a saturated, lower aliphatic, mono-carboxylic acid in the vapor phase into contact with a heterpolyacid catalyst. The reactant olefin and acids and any recycled feeds are rendered substantially free of aldehydes impurities prior to being brought into contact with the heterpolyacid catalyst. Acetaldehyde is a catalyst poison and removal of these from the feeds prolongs life and activity of the heteropolyacid catalyst.
Claims18
A process for the production of lower aliphatic esters comprising bringing into contact in an addition reaction reactants comprising a lower olefin and a saturated, lower aliphatic, mono-carboxylic acid in the vapour phase with a heteropolyacid catalyst wherein the reactants are rendered substantially free of aldehydes impurities prior to being brought into contact with the heteropolyacid catalyst.
A process according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the reactants are rendered free of any aldehyde impurities by subjecting the feedstream to a technique selected from the group consisting of:
- a. distillation,
- b. reaction with a solution of a base,
- c. reaction with a borohydride,
- d. reaction with an acidic or a basic resin, and
- e. extraction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.