Depolymerization of oligomeric cyclic ethers

摘要

The present invention provides a method for depolymerization of a mixture comprising oligomeric cyclic ethers resulting from copolymerization of at least one tetrahydrofuran and at least one other cyclic ether to recover tetrahydrofuran monomer.

主权项

1. A method for depolymerization of a mixture comprising oligomeric cyclic ether which comprises the steps of (1) isolating a mixture comprising oligomeric cyclic ether resulting from copolymerization of tetrahydrofuran and at least one other cyclic ether, (2) contacting the mixture of step (1) at depolymerization reaction conditions including a temperature of from about 125° C. to about 200° C. with catalyst selected from the group consisting of homogeneous and heterogeneous acid catalysts and combinations thereof, in the presence of an effective amount of a depolymerization reaction enhancing additive selected from the group consisting of C2-C8 alcohols, C2-C10 diols, polytetramethylene glycol, C2-C12 carboxylic acids, and combinations thereof, to yield a depolymerization reaction product stream comprising tetrahydrofuran, and (3) recovering the depolymerization reaction product stream of step (2).