Trimerization of formaldehyde in the gas phase

US6313323A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Ticona LLC · US

Inventors

• Harald Werner · Mannheim, DE
• Elke Schweers · Bad Soden, DE
• Frank Olschewski · Bad Soden am Taunus, DE
• Gerhard Geiss · Liederbach, DE
• Elfriede Hufsky · Frankfurt, DE
• Helmut Trankler · Frankfurt, DE
• Heinz Alexander · Frankfurt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 4, 2000
• Grant date: Nov 6, 2001
• Expiry date: May 4, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P20/10
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for the gas-phase trimerization of formaldehyde to give trioxane using solid phosphoric acid catalysts. Particularly suitable catalysts for this process are SPA catalysts (solid phosphorous acid), for example "silicon phosphates". The main advantage of this catalyst system is its simple and inexpensive production and ready availability and also, in particular, its improved long-term stability compared to the few previously described catalysts which are mostly based on supported heteropolyacids.