Patent ID: 8304563
Filing Date: 2012-11-06
Classification: C07C,C07D

Abstract:
1. A process for preparing an epoxide comprising the steps of: (a) contacting glycerin, an ester glycerin, or a mixture thereof with hydrogen chloride source at superatmospheric pressure in the presence of a catalyst to produce a chlorohydrin, an ester of a chlorohydrin, or a mixture thereof, said contacting step carried out without substantial removal of water; and (b) contacting the chlorohydrin formed in step (a) above with a base to form an epoxide; wherein the combined concentration of volatile chlorinated hydrocarbon by-products and chloroacetone is from about 0.01 ppm to less than about 2000 ppm throughout any stage of the said process; wherein the process is carried out at a hydrogen chloride partial pressure of from about 15 psia to about 1000 psia; and wherein the catalyst is selected from the group consisting of a carboxylic acid, an anhydride, an acid chloride, an ester, a lactone, a lactam, an amide, a metal organic compound, a metal salt, any compound convertible to a carboxylic acid under the reaction conditions of the process, and a combination thereof.