Process for preparing methacrolein from formaldehyde and propionaldehyde and preparation plant for the purpose

US11542218B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Röhm GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Rudolf Burghardt · Darmstadt, DE
• Steffen Krill · Mühltal, DE
• Florian Zschunke · Frankfurt, DE
• Eduard Rundal · Frankfurt, DE
• Torsten Panak · Stockstadt am Rhein, DE
• Daniel Konig · Gerabronn, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 20, 2020
• Grant date: Jan 3, 2023
• Expiry date: Aug 20, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C45/82
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process and a preparation plant can prepare methacrolein from formaldehyde and propionaldehyde in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst mixture based at least on an acid and a base. For a good workup of the reaction mixture leaving the reactor, with a good energy balance and where the process has simplified apparatus implementation, the liquid reaction mixture under pressure is expanded in an expansion vessel and separated into a first expansion mixture in a gas phase and a second expansion mixture in a liquid phase. The first expansion mixture is condensed in a first condenser and the second expansion mixture is introduced into a first distillation column and separated therein, into a first distillation mixture in a gas phase at the top and a second distillation mixture in a liquid phase at the bottom. The first distillation mixture is condensed in the first condenser.