Patent ID: 6495714
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: C07C,C07D,H05K

Abstract:
A process for preparing an alkanesulfonic acid, which comprises the following steps:(a) reacting an epoxide with sulfur dioxide to form alkylene sulfite, (b) countercurrently contacting the alkylene sulfite continuously with an alcohol to form dialkyl sulfite and a corresponding diol, (c) rearranging the dialkyl sulfite in the presence of one or more catalysts selected from the group consisting of an amine, an alkyl iodide, a quaternary ammonium salt, a quaternary phosphonium salt, a tertiary sulfonium salt, and an alkylating agent, to form a corresponding alkyl alkanesulfonate, (d) hydrolyzing the alkyl alkanesulfonate to give a alkanesulfonic acid.