HYDROLYSIS OF ALKYLENE CARBONATES TO ALKYLENE GLYCOLS

摘要

11906 HYDROLYSIS OF ALKYLENE CARBONATES TO ALKYLENE GLYCOLS This invention is concerned with producing glycols of the formula HOCHRCH2OH from the hydrolysis, in a homogeneous liquid phase mixture, of an alkylene carbonate of the formula in which R is either hydrogen or methyl. This is accomplished by using an amount of water in excess of stoichiometry and using potassium carbonate as the preferred catalyst. The reaction is effected under a carbon dioxide pressure of at least 80 psig and the reaction temperature is desirably between about 85.degree.C and 500.degree.C. S P E C I F I C A T I O N