Methods for inhibiting polymerization of vinyl aromatic compounds during extractive distillation

Abstract

High temperatures and oxygen exposure during extractive distillation can result in polymerization of vinyl aromatic compounds. In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates to methods for inhibiting polymerization of vinyl aromatic compounds during extractive distillation. In various embodiments, the methods include a) providing a mixture containing at least one vinyl aromatic compound, b) adding at least one dinitrophenol inhibitor to the mixture, and c) after step b), performing an extractive distillation on the mixture to isolate the at least one vinyl aromatic compound. Purified styrene can be isolated by the methods described herein. In some embodiments, the dinitrophenol inhibitor is 2-sec-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol (DNBP).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.