Process for the production of 4'-isobutylacetophenone

US5068448A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Hoechst Celanese Corporation · US

Inventors

• Daniel D. Lindley · Portland, US
• Thomas A. Curtis · Tega Cay, US
• Timothy R. Ryan · Port Aransas, US
• Edward M. de la Garza · Port Aransas, US
• Charles B. Hilton · Euless, US
• Thomas M. Kenesson · Port Aransas, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 5, 1990
• Grant date: Nov 26, 1991
• Expiry date: Oct 5, 2010

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C2527/1206
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A continuous process is provided for the production of 4'-isobutylacetophenone (4-IBAP) comprising feeding liquid hydrogen fluoride (HF) and an acetylating agent into an extractor-reactor to form a first, HF-rich phase containing the acetylating agent, feeding isobutylbenzene (IBB) to the extractor-reactor to form a second, IBB-rich phase which is contacted with said first, HF-rich phase in a manner such that the acetylating agent reacts with IBB to form 4-IBAP which is extracted into the first, HF-rich phase, and a light IBB-rich second phase containing the bulk of unreacted IBB, externally recycling said second, IBB-rich phase to the IBB feed point in combination with fresh IBB to make up for IBB consumed in the reaction and that and dissolved in the HF-rich phase, and withdrawing HF-rich phase containing 4-IBAP from the extractor-reactor.