Process for the carbonylation of formaldehyde
First Claim
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1. A carbonylation process wherein formaldehyde or a derivative thereof is reacted with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising:
- a) an acidic compound with pKa value below −
1; and
b) a sulfone.
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Abstract
A carbonylation process, wherein formaldehyde or a derivative thereof is reacted with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst composition including:
a) an acidic compound with pKa value below −1, and
b) a sulfone.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A carbonylation process wherein formaldehyde or a derivative thereof is reacted with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising:
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a) an acidic compound with pKa value below −
1; and
b) a sulfone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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4. The process of claim 1 wherein the acidic compound is an homogeneous acid.
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5. The process of claim 4 wherein the acidic compound is of the R—
- SO3H type, wherein R represents a halogenated alkyl or an halogenated aromatic group.
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6. The process of claim 1 wherein the acidic compound is an heterogeneous acid.
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7. The process of claim 6 wherein the heterogeneous acid is a strongly acidic ion exchange resin.
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8. The process of claim 1 wherein also water is present in a concentration of less than 30% (w/w) based on the total weight of sulfone and water.
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9. The process of claim 1 wherein the molar ratio of acidic compound to equivalents of monomer formaldehyde or a derivative thereof is in the range of 1:
- 100 to 10;
1.
- 100 to 10;
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10. A process for producing ethylene glycol comprising:
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a) carbonylating formaldehyde or a derivative thereof with carbon monoxide according to the process of claim 1 to produce glycolic acid or polyglycolic acid;
b) esterification of the (poly) glycolic acid with methanol to produce methyl glycolate; and
c) hydrogenation of the methyl glycolate to produce ethylene glycol.
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11. The process of claim 10 wherein the derivative of formaldehyde is paraformaldehyde.
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12. The process of claim 10 wherein the sulfone is according to the formula
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13. The process of claim 12 wherein the acidic compound is an homogeneous acid.
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14. The process of claim 12 wherein the acidic compound is an heterogeneous acid.
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15. The process of claim 10 wherein the molar ratio of acidic compound to equivalent of monomer formaldehyde or a derivative thereof is in the range of 1:
- 100 to 10;
1.
- 100 to 10;
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Specification