Patent ID: 6011189
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: C07C,C08G,C08J

Abstract:
A method of producing high purity methylcyclopentane, which comprises the following steps:(a) cracking dimethyldicyclopentadiene to form a methylcyclopentadiene-rich stream and a higher boiling liquids stream;(b) separating said methylcyclopentadiene-rich stream from said higher boiling liquids stream;(c) diluting said methylcyclopentadiene-rich stream with recycled saturates so that the methylcyclopentadiene content is limited to 15-50%;(d) conducting a first hydrogenation of said methylcyclopentadiene-rich stream in the presence of hydrogen and a palladium-on-alumina catalyst, thereby converting a substantial portion of methylcyclopentadiene to form a methylcyclopentane-rich stream;(e) conducting a second hydrogenation of said methylcyclopentane-rich stream in the presence of a massive nickel catalyst wherein any residual olefins are saturated to form a crude methylcyclopentane product;(f) separating hydrogen from said crude methylcyclopentane product;(g) recycling said hydrogen from step (f) to step (a); and(h) flash stripping said crude methylcyclopentane product to form said high purity methylcyclopentane product.