METHOD FOR PRODUCING GLYCIDOL

• US 20140135512A1
• Filed: 02/05/2013
• Published: 05/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
• Original Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
• Inventors: LEE, Sang Deuk, AHN, Byoung Sung, KIM, Chang Soo, LEE, Hyun Joo, CHOI, Ji Sik
• Granted Patent: US 8,969,600 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 549/518
• CPC Class Codes: C07D 301/02 Synthesis of the oxirane ring

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for producing glycidol by decarboxylation of glycerol carbonate. In the method, an ionic liquid catalyst is added for the reaction. According to the method glycidol can be produced in high yield and selectivity. The method enables the production of glycidol in an easy, simple and environmentally friendly way.

Claims

1. A method for producing glycidol by decarboxylation of glycerol carbonate wherein an ionic liquid catalyst is added for the reaction, wherein the anion of the ionic liquid catalyst has a β

value, which is the Kamlet-Taft parameter representing basicity, in the range of 0.60 to 0.80.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ionic liquid catalyst at least one cation selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by Formulae 1 and/or 3:

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ionic liquid catalyst has at least one anion selected from the group consisting of PF₆⁻

, BF₄⁻

, F₃CSO₃⁻

, NO₃⁻

, Br⁻

, Cl⁻

, CH₃CO₂⁻

, and HCO₃⁻

.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ionic liquid catalyst is used in an amount of 0.0025 moles or less per one mole of the glycerol carbonate.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein a Lewis acid metal salt, together with the ionic liquid catalyst, is further added.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the Lewis acid metal salt is selected from the group consisting of Zn(NO₃)₂, ZnCl₂, SnCl₄, MgCl₂, AlCl₃, and mixtures thereof.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the Lewis acid metal salt is added in an amount of 0.2 moles or less per one mole of the ionic liquid catalyst.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the decarboxylation is carried out at a temperature not higher than 175°

C. for a time shorter than 30 minutes.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the decarboxylation process is carried out in a continuous reaction to continuously collect glycidol as the product.

4. (canceled)