Acidic mixed oxide catalytic dealkylation to produce 1,4-butanediol and tetrahydrofuran.

摘要

A coproduct continuous dealkylation process is described in which 4-t-butoxy-n-butanol is contacted with acidic silica-alumina catalyst at temperatures in the 160-200°C range (reactor wall temperature) in the liquid hourly space velocity regime of 2:0 to 6:0 liter/liter catalyst/hr. to produce in a single reactor a mixture in which the ultimate product of conversion of the 4-t-butoxy-n-butanol is 1,4-butanediol (1,4-diol) and tetrahydrofuran (THF) present in a preselected ratio (mole %) of 1,4-diol to THF ranging from 7:3 to 3:7. The 1,4-diol produced is useful in the preparation of polyesters, e.g. polybutylene terephthalates, and THF is a useful intermediate in the manufacture of certain chemicals and plastics.