Reducing meta content of isomeric mixtures of halo substituted alkylbenzenes

US6284934A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Occidental Chemical Corporation · US

Inventors

• Michael J. Fifolt · Grand Island, US
• William S. Derwin · Grand Island, US
• Viesturs Lesins · Buffalo, US
• Arthur H. Morth · Grand Island, US
• Frank P. Bermel · Orchard Park, US
• David Y. Tang · East Amherst, US
• Mark E. Lindrose · Buffalo, US
• William L. Rueter · Niagara Falls, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 10, 2000
• Grant date: Sep 4, 2001
• Expiry date: Jan 10, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C25/02
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of separating the meta isomer of a haloalkylbenzene having the general formula ##STR1## from a mixture with at least one other isomer, where X is Cl or Br and R is alkyl from C.sub.2 to C.sub.12 or cycloalkyl from C.sub.3 to C.sub.8. About 0.0001 to about 5 wt % of a Friedel-Crafts catalyst is added to the mixture and the mixture is exposed to a brominating agent which preferentially brominates the meta isomer. The mixture is then heated at a temperature above the boiling point of the other isomers but below the boiling point of the brominated meta isomer.