METHODS FOR INHIBITING POLYMERIZATION OF VINYL AROMATIC COMPOUNDS DURING EXTRACTIVE DISTILLATION

摘要

High temperatures and oxygen exposure during extractive distillation can result in polymerization of vinyl aromatic compounds. In various embodiments  the present disclosure relates to methods for inhibiting polymerization of vinyl aromatic compounds during extractive distillation. In various embodiments  the methods include a) providing a mixture containing at least one vinyl aromatic compound  b) adding at least one dinitrophenol inhibitor to the mixture  and c) after step b)  performing an extractive distillation on the mixture to isolate the at least one vinyl aromatic compound. Purified styrene can be isolated by the methods described herein. In some embodiments  the dinitrophenol inhibitor is 2-sec-butyl-4 6-dinitrophenol (DNBP).