Patent ID: 8975432
Filing Date: 2015-03-10
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
1. A process for the preparation of an alkanediol and a dialkyl carbonate comprising: (a) reacting an alkylene carbonate and an alkanol in the presence of a transesterification catalyst to obtain a reaction mixture comprising dialkyl carbonate, unconverted alkanol, alkanediol, unconverted alkylene carbonate and an alkoxy alkanol impurity; (b) subjecting the reaction mixture to distillation in a first distillation column to obtain a top stream comprising dialkyl carbonate, alkanol and alkoxy alkanol impurity and a bottom stream comprising alkanediol and alkylene carbonate; (c) subjecting the bottom stream from the first distillation column to distillation in a second distillation column to obtain a top stream comprising alkanediol and a bottom stream comprising alkylene carbonate; (d) subjecting the top stream from the first distillation column to distillation in a third distillation column in the presence of a catalyst to effect reaction of the alkoxy alkanol impurity with the dialkyl carbonate into a carbonate ether impurity, to obtain a top stream comprising alkanol and a bottom stream comprising dialkyl carbonate and carbonate ether impurity; and (e) subjecting the bottom stream from the third distillation column to distillation in a fourth distillation column to obtain a top stream comprising dialkyl carbonate and a bottom stream comprising dialkyl carbonate and carbonate ether impurity; and (f) recycling the bottom stream from the fourth distillation column to the first distillation column.