Process for the recovery of purified gamma-butyrolactone in high yield from its crude reactor effluent
US5136058A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 25, 1991 |
| Grant date | Aug 4, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 25, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC07D315/00
- WIPO fieldOrganic fine chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
This invention relates to a process for the recovery of purified gamma-butyrolactone (BLO) in high yield from its crude reactor effluent containing BLO, tetrahydrofuran (THF), water, the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis product of BLO which is 4-hydroxybutyric acid (4-HBA), light and heavy organic acids, and alcohols. The process is particularly characterized by flash vaporizing a THF-free mixture of BLO, 4-HBA, water, light acids such as butyric acid and propionic acid, and alcohols so that the 4-HBA component is recyclized to form additional BLO. Heavy acids such as succinic acid and maleic acid are removed from the bottom. The total amount of BLO in the vapor stream then is fed to a distillation column where it is condensed; the water, including the water of dehydration, and light acid and alcohol impurities in the distillation are separated overhead from the BLO and removed. This procedure prevents BLO from further acid hydrolysis while the water of dehydration from 4-HBA is recovered.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.