Patent GB-359430-A (GB)
IPC: C07C45/00
Filed: 1930-07-14
Abstract: Ketones, particularly acetone, are obtained by bringing mixtures of isopropyl alcohol and steam at temperatures of about 250-650 DEG  C. into contact with catalysts comprising oxides of metals having a specific gravity above 5,5.  Oxides of iron, manganese, copper, or mixtures thereof, mixed if desired with promoters such as the oxides or carbonates of calcium or magnesium, and deposited on materials of high heat conductivity, for example, metals such as iron, are especially suitable as catalysts.  In addition to isopropyl alcohol and steam, the initial mixture may also contain ethyl alcohol, which is converted in the reaction into acetone.  Also mixtures of isopropyl alcohol with other alcohols obtained from olefines or commercial olefine-containing mixtures such as cracking gases, distillate gases, coke oven gases, or gases obtained from gas oils may be used; such olefine-containing gases being first converted into alkyl sulphates or chlorides, which are then hydrolysed, or otherwise converted into secondary alcohols by the addition of water in known manner.  From 5 to 10 volumes of steam are preferably added for each volume of the alcohols treated. According to examples, (1) pieces of iron sponge rusted by 1 per cent acetic acid and air are soaked with a solution of nickel carbonate in acetic acid, dried, and heated to 500 DEG  C.  Acetone is obtained by passing a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and steam over this catalyst at 420 DEG  C., (2) over the same catalyst a mixture of ethyl, isopropyl, and higher alcohols with steam is passed at 430 DEG  C.  Acetone and small quantities of higher ketones are formed, and (3) a cracking gas containing ethylene, propylene, butylene, and homologues is treated with sulphuric acid on the counter-current principle, and the mixture of alkyl sulphates so obtained is diluted with water and continually supplied to a column into which steam is forced.  The resulting vapour mixture is passed directly over one of the catalysts described above at about 450 DEG  C.  From the product containing acetone and other ketones any unchanged ethyl alcohol may be recovered and returned to the reaction. Specification 302,759, [Class 1 (i), Chemical processes &c.], is referred to.ALSO:Ketones, particularly acetone, are obtained by bringing mixtures of isopropyl alcohol and steam at temperatures of about 250-650 DEG  C. into contact with catalysts comprising oxides of metals having a specific gravity above 5,5.  Oxides of iron, manganese, copper, or mixtures thereof, mixed if desired with promoters such as the oxides or carbonates of calcium or magnesium, and deposited on materials of high heat conductivity, for example, on metals such as iron, are especially suitable as catalysts.  In addition to isopropyl alcohol and steam, the initial mixture may also contain ethyl alcohol, which is converted in the reaction into acetone.  Also mixtures of isopropyl alcohol with other alcohols obtained from olefines or commercial olefines containing mixtures such as cracking gases, distillate gases, coke oven gases, or gases obtained from gas oils may be used; such olefine-containing gases being first converted into alkyl sulphates or chlorides which are then hydrolysed, or otherwise converted into secondary alcohols by the addition of water in known manner.  From 5 to 10 volumes of steam are preferably added for each volume of the alcohols treated. According to examples (1) pieces of iron sponge rusted by 1 per cent acetic acid and air are soaked with a solution of nickel carbonate in acetic acid, dried, and heated to 500 DEG  C.  Acetone is obtained by passing a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and steam over this catalyst at 420 DEG  C.; (2) over the same catalyst a mixture of ethyl, isopropyl, and higher alcohols with steam is passed at 430 DEG  C. Acetone and small quantities of higher ketones are formed, and (3) a cracking gas p  containing ethylene, propylene, butylene, and homologues is treated with sulphuric acid on the counter-current principle, and the mixture of alkyl sulphates so obtained is diluted with water and continually supplied to a column into which steam is forced. The resulting vapour mixture is passed directly over one of the catalysts described above at about 450 DEG  C.  From the product containing acetone and other ketones any unchanged ethyl alcohol may be recovered and returned to the reaction.  Specification 302,759, [Class 2 (iii), Dyes &c.], is referred to.