ISOPRENE PRODUCTION PROCESS Russian patent published in 2003 - IPC

FIELD: industrial organic synthesis. SUBSTANCE: isoprene is prepared in aqueous medium from formaldehyde and trimethylcarbinol. Process is conducted in reaction zone space at elevated temperature and pressure ensuring liquid state of reactants, at stoichiometric excess of trimethylcarbinol in presence of acid catalyst, resulting products being continuously distilled off, condensed, and withdrawn from reaction zone. According to invention, synthesis of isoprene is conducted at degree of conversion of trimethylcarbinol 75-95%, while reaction products are distilled off within formed isobutylene flow at pressure 8-15 atm and temperature by 10- 20 C below temperature of saturated water steam at this pressure. Water is distilled off from remaining vat product in a separate apparatus at 150-160 C and pressure 4-5 atm. EFFECT: simplified technology, increased productivity, and increased yield of isoprene. 1 tbl, 3 ex