Patent ID: 6369231
Filing Date: 2002-04-09
Classification: C07D

Abstract:
A process for selectively preparing 2-chloropyridine, comprising:(a) providing a vapor reaction chamber equipped for continuous passage of vapors through the reaction chamber; (b) heating the reaction chamber at a temperature of about 175Â° C. to about 275Â° C., to provide a heated reaction chamber; (c) continuously passing vaporized pyridine into the heated reaction chamber; (d) continuously passing vaporized molecular chlorine into the heated reaction chamber along with the pyridine, wherein the molecular chlorine is passed into the heated reaction chamber in a molar ratio of about 0.1 to 10 relative to the pyridine; (e) continuously passing a vaporized catalyst into the heated reaction chamber along with the pyridine and molecular chlorine, the catalyst including an organic peroxide compound which generates free radicals in the heated reaction chamber; (f) continuously passing vaporized water into the heated reaction chamber along with the vaporized pyridine, molecular chlorine and catalyst, wherein the vaporized water is passed into the heated reaction chamber in a molar ratio of about 0.1 to about 25 relative to the pyridine. (g) continuously passing a vaporized halogenated organic diluent into the heated reaction chamber along with the vaporized pyridine, molecular chlorine, catalyst and water, wherein the diluent is passed into the heated reaction chamber in a molar ration of about 1 to about 25 relative to the pyridine; and (h) continuously collecting from the reaction chamber a reacted mixture produced by steps (a)-(g) and containing the 2-chloropyridine, and wherein said 2-chloropyridine is prepared at a selectivity of above 90%.