×

Process for beta-lactone production

  • US 9,206,144 B2
  • Filed: 05/12/2014
  • Issued: 12/08/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A continuous method of making a beta-propiolactone from ethylene oxide, the method comprising steps of:

  • reacting, in a reactor, the contents of a feed stream comprising ethylene oxide, a solvent, a carbonylation catalyst and carbon monoxide to produce a liquid reaction product stream comprising beta-propiolactone and carbonylation catalyst;

    separating, outside the reactor, at least a portion of the beta-propiolactone in the reaction product stream from the carbonylation catalyst to produce;

    i) a beta-propiolactone stream comprising beta-propiolactone, andii) a liquid catalyst recycling stream comprising carbonylation catalyst; and

    adding the liquid catalyst recycling stream to the feed stream;

    the method further comprising;

    treating the beta-propiolactone stream under conditions to convert the beta-propiolactone into a compound selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, acrylates, acrylamide, and polyacrylates.

View all claims
  • 3 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×