Union Carbide Corporation

Fedor Poppelsdorf

Louis A Kapicak

Charles Arnold Smith

John W Crandall

James E Deitzler

John Lee Ferrell

A process is provided for the utilization of dialkyl carbonates formed as by-products in a continuous process for the synthesis of oxalic acid esters from nitrous acid esters and carbon monoxide and wherein the esters are subsequently used as intermediates in the production of commercially useful products, such as ethylene glycol. The process comprises contacting a mixture containing the by-product comprised of a dialkyl carbonate with an aqueous solution of a metal carbonate under hydrolyzing conditions whereby the dialkyl carbonate is converted to the corresponding alkanol and the metal carbonate is converted to metal bicarbonate. Upon distillation of the alkanol from the mixture the bicarbonate is converted back to the metal carbonate which can then be recycled from the bottoms to the hydrolyzing zone for use in further hydrolysis of by-product. The alkanol is recycled for use in the continuous process.

Process for the hydrolysis of dialkyl carbonates

An improved calcined hydrogenation catalyst shape which is useful for the catalysis of hydrogenation reactions in a tubular reactor is provided. The catalyst shape has an annular configuration with an open center core, and wherein the shape contains, as a reinforcing matrix distributed therein, up to about 50 percent by weight of milled glass fibers having specific dimensions and wherein the crush strength of the shape is vastly improved with little change in catalytic activity over the non-reinforced shape of comparable size. Additionally, when the shapes of the present invention are employed pressure-drop and diffusion problems are reduced. The catalyst shapes are particularly useful for the hydrogenation of alkyl oxalates to ethylene glycol whereby the reaction can be conducted at lower temperatures and hence by-product formation is minimized.

Hydrogenation of alkyl oxalates

A process is provided for producing bis-(N,N-dialkylamino)alkyl ethers of the formula (R.sub.2 NR').sub.2 O, wherein R is a methyl or ethyl group and R' is a bivalent alkylene group having from 2 to 3 carbon atoms. The novel process is effected by a two-step, preferably 'one pot,' reaction that utilizes SO.sub.3 vapor and R.sub.2 NR'ONa as reactants, wherein R and R' are defined above. The resulting bis-ethers are useful as catalysts in the production of polyurethanes, especially cellular polyurethanes.

Process for producing bis(N,N-dialkylamino)alkyl ethers employing sulfur

A process is provided for producing bis-(N,N-dialkylamino)alkyl ethers of the formula (R.sub.2 NR').sub.2 O, wherein R is a methyl or ethyl group and R' is a bivalent alkylene group having from 2 to 3 carbon atoms. The novel process is effected by a two-step, 'one pot' reaction that utilizes a chloro-containing compound selected from the group consisting of sulfuryl chloride, thionyl chloride and chlorosulfonic acid together with R.sub.2 NR'ONa as reactants, wherein R and R' are defined above. The resulting bis-ethers are useful as catalysts in the production of polyurethanes, especially cellular polyurethanes.

Process for preparing bis(N,N-dialkylamino)alkyl ethers employing sulfur

A process is disclosed which comprises reacting trimethylamine with 2-[2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethoxy]ethanol in the presence of nickel catalyst to produce bis[2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl] ether.

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Charleston, WV, United States of America

Fedor Poppelsdorf