GB865271A - Epoxidation - Google Patents

Abstract

Epoxy compounds are prepared by epoxidation of polymers possessing non-aromatic double bonds and not more than 30 carbon atoms per double bond, which boil at a temperature of not less than 50 DEG C. at normal pressure, and are liquid at the reaction temperature or soluble in inert organic solvents, by treatment of these polymers with percarboxylic acids, which have preferably been formed in the reaction of carboxylic acids and hydrogen peroxide, the epoxidation being carried out in the presence of an aluminium compound, prepared by dehydration of aluminium hydroxide, the composition and/or crystal structure of which lies in a range extending from Al2O32H2O to g -Al2O3. The polymers epoxidized may be esters from unsaturated carboxylic acids and polyvinyl alcohol, polyesters from diols and dicarboxylic acids, in which at least two of the components in the esterification must be unsaturated, and polycyclohexenepolymethylenes. The reaction temperature may lie in the range 20 DEG -100 DEG C., and at least 5% by weight of catalyst is used based on the starting material.ALSO:Epoxy compounds are prepared by epoxidation of compounds containing at least one olefinic double bond and not more than 30 carbon atoms per double bond and which boil at a temperature of not less than 50 DEG C. at normal pressure, by treatment of these compounds with percarboxylic acids, which have preferably been formed in the reaction of carboxylic acids and hydrogen peroxide, the epoxidation being carried out in the presence of an aluminium compound, prepared by dehydration of aluminium hydroxide, the composition and/or crystal structure of which lies in a range extending from Al2O3.2H2O to g -Al2O3. The dehydration of aluminium hydroxide is preferably effected at temperatures from 200 to 800 DEG C. resulting in Al2O3. 2H2O, a -Al2O3.H2O (boehmite) or g Al2O3 or mixtures. The compounds epoxidised may be olefines, alcohols, aldehydes, ethers, carboxylic acids, esters, amides, nitriles or anhydrides. The reaction temperature may lie in the range 20-100 DEG C, and at least 5% by weight of catalyst is used based on the starting material.