GB311468A - Process for the purification of alcohols obtained by the catalysed interaction of hydrogen with the oxides of carbon - Google Patents

Abstract

311,468. Carpmael, A., (I. G. Farbenindustrie Akt.-Ges.). Feb. 16, 1928. Methyl alcohol; isobutyl alcohol; alcohols in general. - Alcohols such as methyl or isobutyl alcohol which have been prepared by the catalytic interaction of hydrogen with the oxides of carbon are purified by treating them, or their distillation fractions, with an oxidizing agent. With this treatment there may be combined, according to circumstances, treatment with a relatively non- volatile alkali or organic base, with a metal halide other than an alkali halide, and/or with a purifying agent acting by adsorption. Thus, in treating especially impure products, it is preferred to add small amounts of an organic base such as phenylene or toluylene diamine, aminophenols, or phenylhydrazine to the product after treatment with the oxidizing agent. Also, when the raw product contains ammonia or relatively volatile organic bases, it is preferred to fix these by addition of a metal halide such as zinc chloride before distillation. The product to be purified may be diluted with water before or during distillation, and during the distillation additions of other purifying agents such as caustic soda solution, sodium bisulphite, or oxalic acid may be made. The amount of oxidizing agent employed may be only a fraction of that theoretically necessary. An example is given describing the purification of synthetic methanol by treatment with potassium permanganate followed by fractionation; reference is made also to the use of hydrogen peroxide, persulphates, perborates, percarbonates, and hypohalites.