PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF ANHYDROUS TERTIARY POTASSIUM BUTYL ALCOHOLATE

摘要

Disclosed is a method for continuous production of anhydrous potassium tert.butoxide from aqueous potash lye and tert.butyl alcohol in a packed distillation column. The water of reaction and the water brought in by the starting products is distilled out at the top of the column with the aid of a withdrawing agent. In the bottom of the column an alcoholic solution of the potassium tert.butoxide is produced, which is withdrawn and then processed for isolation of the anhydrous salt. The tert.butyl alcohol is used in excess such that a 10 to 18 weight-percent solution of the salt in alcohol is produced in the bottom of the column. The amount of tert.butyl alcohol together with the amount of the withdrawing agent is selected such that the tert.butyl alcohol content in the gas mixture at the center of the column will be between 50 and 90% by weight. The bottom of the column is continuously maintained at ebullition. A gas mixture of 20 to 50 wt. -% of tert.butyl alcohol and 50 to 80 wt. -% of the withdrawing agent is withdrawn from the top of the column at a temperature between 65 DEG and 75 DEG C. Cyclohexane or hexane is used as withdrawing agent in accordance with the invention.