摘要 |
<p>In preparing alkanesulphonic acids by sulphoxidation of n-paraffins containing between 12 and 18 carbon atoms, using UV radiation to initiate the reaction (light-water process), a mixture is obtained which spontaneously allows a substantial part of the unconverted n-paraffins to separate from a mixture containing the alkanesulphonic acids together with water, sulphuric acid and n-paraffins. The aforesaid mixture is fed with one or more alcohols having four or less than four carbon atoms, preferably isopropanol, to form a two-phase mixture. The two-phase mixture is extracted with supercritical CO2, which extracts the n-paraffins, these being recycled to the sulphoxidation process. The paraffin-free product is suitable for preparing alkanesulphonates of the desired type by neutralisation with suitable bases.</p> |