Patent ID: 6015875
Filing Date: 2000-01-18
Classification: C08G

Abstract:
A process for the production of acetals from the reaction of aldehydes and alcohol comprising:(a) feeding a first stream containing a linear alcohol to a distillation column reactor;(b) feeding a second stream containing an aldehyde to the distillation column reactor;(c) concurrently in said distillation column reactor(i) contacting the aldehyde and alcohol in the presence of an acidic catalyst in a distillation reaction zone to react a portion of the aldehyde with a portion of the alcohol to form a reaction mixture containing acetal, water and unreacted alcohol and unreacted aldehyde,(ii) operating said distillation column reactor to maintain the alcohol and aldehyde within said distillation reaction zone, and(iii) separating the acetal product from the reaction mixture; and(d) withdrawing the separated acetal from the distillation column reactor at a point above said distillation reaction zone.