Conversion of light paraffins to oxygenates or olefins using an imide promoter
AssigneeUop LLC
InventorsJoseph A. Kocal, Robert R. Frame, Jeffery C. Bricker
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Abstract
A process has been developed for oxygenating linear C2 to C6 alkanes to ketones or aldehydes. The process involves reacting the alkanes with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising an imide promoter and a metal co-catalyst. An example of the imide is N-hydroxyphthalimide and an example of the co-catalyst is Co (acetylacetonate). The process is preferably carried out using an inert solvent, an example of which is acetic acid. Optionally, the oxygenated product can be hydrogenated to give the corresponding alcohol which can optionally in turn be dehydrated to provide the corresponding olefin.
Claims25
A process for converting light paraffins to an oxygenated compound selected from the group consisting of ketones, aldehydes and alcohols comprising reacting at least one light paraffin selected from C2 to C6 linear alkanes, with oxygen, in the presence of a catalyst comprising an imide promoter and a co-catalyst at oxidation conditions to provide an oxygenated compound, the imide having the formula:
- where R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogens, alkyl groups, cycloalkyl groups, aryl groups, hydroxyl group, alkoxy groups, carboxyl group, alkoxy-carbonyl groups and acyl groups or R1 and R2 may bind to form a double bond, an aromatic ring or a non-aromatic ring;
- X is oxygen or a hydroxyl group and n=1 and the co-catalyst comprising at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Groups IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB, VIII metals of the Periodic Table of Elements to provide an oxygenated compound.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.