METHOD OF PRODUCING ETHYLENE GLYCOL

摘要

PURPOSE:To prepare the titled compound economically, in high monoethylene glycol yield, by reacting ethylene oxide with nearly stoichiometric amount of water in the presence of CO2 and a catalyst comprising Mo metal and/or an Mo compound. CONSTITUTION:The preparation of the titled compound by the reaction of ethylene oxide (EO) with water, is carried out in the presence of CO2 and a catalyst comprising Mo metal and/or an Mo compound. The presence of CO2 is essential, especially, it is remarkably effective when the molar ratio of water to EO is decreased to about 1-5:1 (the permissible range of the ratio is 1-30:1). The molar ratio of CO2 to EO is 0.0001-1:1. The catalyst is pref. metallic Mo or an alkali molybdate having large specific surface area, and its amount is 0.1-100wt% of EO. EFFECT:Since the amount of water is low, the separation and purification of the objective compound after the reaction can be carried out easily.