Process for working up crude liquid vinyl acetate

US4934519A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• BAYER HEALTHCARE LLC · DE

Inventors

• Gunter Wolf · Glückstadt, DE
• Hubert Lauer · Dormagen, DE
• Wulf Schwerdtel

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 28, 1985
• Grant date: Jun 19, 1990
• Expiry date: Jun 28, 2005

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S203/20
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An improved process for working-up crude liquid vinyl acetate which contains vinyl acetate, acetic acid, water, and ethyl acetate, possibly together with small amounts of other impurities, by distillation is disclosed, wherein a mixture essentially containing vinyl acetate and water is obtained as the top product and essentially acetic acid is obtained as the bottom product, and a sidestream, in which ethyl acetate is concentrated is removed. According to the process the top product is condensed and, after phase separation, a portion of the vinyl acetate phase is recycled as reflux into the distillation. The improved process involves the introduction of water above the point of introduction of the crude vinyl acetate. Preferably, the water is introduced in an amount which is not greater than the amount required to achieve a maximum water content in the vapors leaving the distillation at the top.