GB402060A - Improvements in the production of aliphatic alcohols and esters - Google Patents

Abstract

Aliphatic alcohols and (or) organic esters thereof are prepared by subjecting hydrocarbons to thermal decomposition in the presence of the vapour of an organic acid, preferably a lower aliphatic acid such as acetic or propionic acid, and in the presence or absence of steam. Suitable hydrocarbons are petroleum or petroleum fractions, ethane, and propane. The reaction may be effected at 500--1000 DEG C., preferably in the gaseous phase at about atmospheric pressure, in the presence or absence of dehydrogenating catalysts and (or) inert gases such as nitrogen and oxides of carbon. The products are preferably kept at 200--600 DEG C. and 20--100 atm. pressure before they are finally cooled, a further quantity of acid vapour, with or without steam, being added if desired before or during this treatment. The reaction or the after-treatment of the reaction products may be performed in the presence of hydration or esterification catalysts such as phosphoric acid or zinc chloride; fillers such as pumice or kieselguhr may also be present. Details are given of the relative proportions of acid vapour and steam to be employed according to whether alcohols or esters are desired as principal products. If mixtures of esters and alcohols are obtained, they may be converted into esters or alcohols by esterification or saponification. In the example, a mixture of a vaporized petroleum fraction and acetic acid vapour is passed through narrow tubes at 700 DEG C. and atmospheric pressure, and the products are passed at 400 DEG C. and 40 atm. pressure through tubes containing phosphoric acid on pumice; the products include ethyl acetate. Specification 394,376 is referred to.