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

US11680033B2 · 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: Jun 20, 2023
• Expiry date: Aug 20, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C45/84
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process and a preparation plant prepares methacrolein from formaldehyde and propionaldehyde, in presence of water and a homogeneous catalyst based at least on an acid and a base. A reaction mixture is introduced into a methacrolein workup plant and separated in a first distillation column, 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 and, in a first phase separator, the organic phase and the aqueous phase of the condensate are separated from one another. The aqueous phase is introduced into a second distillation column, that is not part of the methacrolein workup plant, and is separated into a third distillation mixture in a gas phase at the top and a fourth distillation mixture at the bottom. The third distillation mixture is introduced into the methacrolein workup plant.