Patent GB-1046795-A (GB)
Title: Production of oxyalkylation products
Inventor: DREHER ERICH
IPC: C07B61/00
Filed: 1963-08-15
Abstract: An organic compound which is liquid under normal conditions and contains an active hydrogen atom is allowed to trickle down a tower packing in a reactor at between 20 DEG  and 200 DEG  C. and is simultaneously treated with an alkylene oxide and a catalyst at a pressure which is less than the liquifaction pressure of the alkylene oxide at the temperature used.  The reactor may be a vertical tube of which the cross-section is less than the height. It may be either conical or telescopic in shape, being narrower at the top than at the bottom.  The temperature at the top may be lower than that of the remainder and the pressure may be 6-60 atmospheres.  The organic liquid may be introduced at the top of the tower through a distributer plate.  Organic liquids specified are: alkanols having 1-30 carbon atoms, phenol, cresols, ethylene glycol, 1.2-propylene glycol, polyalkylene glycols, glycerol, sorbitol, carboxylic acids, and primary and secondary amines. The alkylene oxide may also be introduced at the top of the tower and may be diluted with an inert gas, e.g. N2.  Alkylene oxides specified are: ethylene oxide, 1,2-propylene oxide, 1,2-butylene oxide and 2,3-butylene oxide. Catalysts specified are: NaOH, KOH, LiOH, Na2CO3, NaHCO3, oxalic acid, H2SO4, boron trioxide, aluminium oxide and silicic acid gel. The catalyst may form part of the packing.  The products may be discharged through a separator at the bottom of the tower or products of differing degrees of oxyalkylation may be withdrawn at different levels of the tower.  Oxyalkylation degrees of 1-50 may be achieved. A plurality of reactors may be linked one above the other or side-by-side with the interposition of pumps.  In a typical Example (1) tridecanol is treated with ethylene oxide in the presence of NaOH.ALSO:An organic liquid having an active hydrogen atom is run down a tower packing at 20-200 DEG  C. and simultaneously treated with an alkylene oxide and a catalyst at a pressure below the liquifaction pressure of the alkylene oxide.  The reactor may be a vertical tube having a diameter less than its height. and may be either conical or telescopic in shape, being narrower at the top. The temperature at the top may be less than that of the remainder of the tower and the pressure may be 6-60 atmospheres.  The organic liquid may enter at the top of the tower through a distributer plate. Liquids specified are: C1- 30 alkanols, phenol, cresols, ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, polyalkylene glycols, glycerol, sorbitol, carboxylic acids and primary and secondary amines.  The alkylene oxide may also be introduced at the top of the tower and may be diluted with inert gas, e.g. N2.  Alkylene oxides specified are: ethylene, 1,2-propylene, 1,2-butylene and 2,3-butylene oxides. Catalysts specified are: NaOH, KOH, LiOH, Na2CO3, NaHCO3 oxalic acid, H2SO4 boron trioxide, alumina, and silicic acid gel. The catalyst may form part of the packing.  A plurality of towers may be linked by interpositioned pumps.  The products may be discharged through a separator at the bottom of the tower or products of differing degrees of oxyalkylation may be withdrawn at different levels.  Oxyalkylation degrees of 1-50 may be achieved.