PROCESS FOR PRODUCING DICHLOROPROPANOL

• US 20090270588A1
• Filed: 07/14/2009
• Published: 10/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Solvay SA (Solvac SA)
• Original Assignee: Solvay SA (Solvac SA)
• Inventors: Claessens, Sara, Gosselin, Benoit, Gilbeau, Patrick, KRAFFT, Philippe
• Application Number:
  US12/502,342
• Publication Number:
  US 20090270588A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 528/421
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 7/0712 by distillation
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 29/62 by introduction of halogen; by substitution of halogen atoms by other halogen atoms
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 31/36 the halogen not being fluorine
• CPC Class Codes: C07D 303/08 with hydrocarbon radicals, substituted by halogen atoms, nitro radicals or nitroso radicals
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 59/04 of polyhydroxy compounds with epihalohydrins or precursors thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C11C 3/003 by esterification of fatty acids with alcohols C11C3/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/10 Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/582 Recycling of unreacted starting or intermediate materials
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/584 Recycling of catalysts

Abstract

Process for producing dichloropropanol wherein glycerol is reacted with at least one chlorinating agent in a reactor made of or coated with materials selected from enamelled steel, polyolefins, fluorinated polymers, phenolic resins, tantalum, and silver.

Claims

1. A process for producing dichloropropanol wherein glycerol is reacted with at least one chlorinating agent in a reactor made of or coated with materials selected from enamelled steel, polyolefins, fluorinated polymers, phenolic resins, tantalum, and silver.

2. The process according to claim 1 wherein the material is enamelled steel.

3. The process according to claim 1 wherein the fluorinated polymer is selected from polytetrafluoroethylene, poly(vinylidene fluoride) and poly(perfluoropropylvinylether).

4. The process according to claim 1 wherein the material is tantalum.

5. The process according to claim 1 wherein the material is silver.

6. The process according to claim 1 wherein the material is a polypropylene.

7. The process according to claim 1 wherein the material is a phenolic resin.

8. The process according to claim 1, wherein the chlorinating agent comprises substantially anhydrous hydrogen chloride.

9. The process according to claim 1, wherein the chlorinating agent is an aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride with a hydrogen chloride content higher than or equal to 4% by weight, preferably higher than or equal to 20% by weight, and most preferably higher than or equal to 30% by weight.

10. The process according to claim 1, wherein the reaction is carried out in a liquid reaction medium.

11. The process according to claim 1, wherein, a carboxylic acid, a carboxylic acid anhydride, a carboxylic acid chloride, a carboxylic acid salt or a carboxylic acid ester preferably having an atmospheric boiling point of greater than or equal to 200°

C., is used as the catalyst.

12. The process according to claim 1 wherein the water concentration in the liquid reaction medium is lower than or equal to 15% by weight.

13. The process according to claim 1 wherein the reaction is carried out at a temperature of at least 20°

C. and of at most 300°

C.

14. The process according to claim 1 wherein the reaction is carried out at a pressure of at least 0.1 bar and of at most 100 bar.

15. The process of claim 10, wherein the process is a continuous process and wherein the residence time, which is the ratio of the volume of the liquid medium in the reactor to the flow rate by volume of the reactants is greater than or equal to 1 h and lower than or equal to 50 h.

16. The process of claim 10, wherein the process is a continuous process and wherein the residence time, which is the ratio of the volume of the liquid medium in the reactor to the flow rate by volume of glycerol is greater than or equal to 1 h and lower than or equal to 100 h.

17. The process of claim 1, wherein the process is a batch process and wherein the reaction time is from 1 h to 10 h.

18. A process for producing epichlorhydrin wherein

(a) dichloropropanol is produced in accordance with a process according to claim 1;

(b) at least one fraction of the obtained dichloropropanol is subjected to a dehydrochlorination reaction.

19. A process according to claim 18, wherein, in a further step, epichlorohydrin is contacted with glycerol, possibly in the presence of a base, and in order to obtain polyglycerol.

20. A process for producing epoxy resins according to which epichlorohydrin derived from the process according to claim 18 is used as starting material.