Reactive distillation process for the production of methyl acetate
US4435595A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 26, 1982 |
| Grant date | Mar 6, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 26, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S203/06
- WIPO fieldOrganic fine chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention provides a process for the production of high purity methyl acetate from methanol and glacial acetic acid wherein the acetic acid functions both as a reactant and as an extractive agent. The process comprises countercurrently flowing approximately stoichiometric quantities of acetic acid and methanol through a single reactive distillation column in the presence of an acidic catalyst which is preferably sulfuric acid. The column provides intimate contact between the acetic acid and the methanol and between the acetic acid and the azeotropes (methyl acetate/water and methyl acetate/methanol) which are formed in the column. At preferred catalyst concentrations, the residence time in the column is at least about two hours. The process further comprises continuously removing high purity methyl acetate from the top of the column and continuously removing water from the bottom of the column. In preferred embodiments, the process further comprises removing intermediate boiling compounds, such as methyl propionate, methyl butyrate, isopropyl acetate, and mixtures thereof, from a vapor sidedraw stream. The invention further comprises in preferred embodiments the use of …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.