Alkylation reactions of aromatic subtrates

US6303840A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Thomas Swan & Co. LTD. · GB

Inventors

• Martyn Poliakoff · Nottingham, GB
• Thomas M. Swan · Birtley, GB
• Thomas Tacke · Friedrichsdorf, DE
• Martin Hitzler · Dillingen/Saar, DE
• Stephen K. Ross · Consett, GB
• Stefan Wieland · Offenbach, DE
• Fiona Ruth Smail · Beeston, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 18, 1999
• Grant date: Oct 16, 2001
• Expiry date: Jun 18, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P20/54
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for the alkylation of aromatic substrates under supercritical or near-critical reaction conditions is described. In particular, a method for performing Friedel-Crafts alkylation reactions is disclosed under those conditions. Friedel-Crafts reactions may be effected using a heterogeneous catalyst in a continuous flow reactor containing a supercritical or near-critical reaction medium. Selectivity of product formation can be achieved by varying one or more of temperature, pressure, catalyst, flow rates and also by varying the ratios of aromatic substrate to alkylating agent.