Batch, semi-continuous or continuous hydrochlorination of glycerin with reduced volatile chlorinated hydrocarbon by-products and chloracetone levels

A batch, semi-batch, semi-continuous or continuous process for producing a chlorohydrin, an ester of a chlorohydrin, or a mixture thereof comprising the step of contacting glycerin, an ester of glycerin, or a mixture thereof with a source of hydrogen chloride, in the presence of a catalyst to produce a chlorohydrin, an ester of a chlorohydrin, or a mixture thereof, said process carried out without a step undertaken to specifically remove volatile chlorinated hydrocarbon by-products or chloroacetone, wherein the combined concentration of volatile chlorinated hydrocarbon by-products and chloroacetone is from about 0.01 ppm to less than 2000 ppm throughout any stage of the said process;

• wherein the process carried out at a hydrogen chloride partial pressure of from about 15 psia to about 1000 psia;
• and wherein the catalyst is selected from the group consisting of a carboxylic acid, an anhydride, an acid chloride, an ester, a lactone, a lactam, an amide, a metal organic compound, a metal salt, a compound convertible to a carboxylic acid under the reaction conditions of the process, and a combination thereof.