ISOPRENE PRODUCTION PROCESS Russian patent published in 2005 - IPC

FIELD: industrial organic synthesis.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to production of isoprene for use in synthesis of isoprene rubber and butyl rubber used in tire industry and manufacture of general mechanical rubber goods. In the method of invention, isoprene is obtained by decomposition of 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan on calcium phosphate catalyst comprising synthesis of 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan by interaction of isobutylene-containing C₄ fraction with aqueous formaldehyde solution in presence of acid catalyst to form reaction medium composed of oil and water layers followed by separation of oil layer into unreacted C₄-hydrocarbons and 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan by rectification leaving bottom residue containing dioxan alcohols (high-boiling dioxan alcohols to be processed into additional product), separation of water layer, condensation of contact gas, and recovery of desired isoprene. Low-boiling part of hydrocarbons distilled off in processing of bottom residue of 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan rectification is separated and thus obtained lower product is discharged as a mixture of high-boiling dioxan alcohols, which constitute additional desired product, whereas upper product is combined with formaldehyde-containing blend fed into 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan synthesis zone. Acid catalyst utilized in synthesis of 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan is mixture of oxalic and phosphoric acids at weight ratio between 2:1 and 1:1, whereas summary concentration of acids in formaldehyde-containing blend is maintained between 1.5 and 2.5 wt %. Remaining high-boiling fraction of hydrocarbons taken off in processing of bottom residue of 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan rectification, which are mixture of heavy residue and high-boiling alcohols, are taken off in the form of by-product.

EFFECT: enhanced isoprene production efficiency and reduced corrosion of technique, clogging with salts and tars, produced useful dioxan alcohols, and reduced specific consumption of raw materials.

1 dwg, 3 ex