Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft

Hendrik W Post

Wilhelm Lendle

Helmold Von Plessen

Reinhold Graser

Wolfgang Grunbein

Manfred Rossberg

Heinz Richter

A process is described for the removal of dimethyl ether in methyl chloride by catalytic cleavage by means of hydrogen chloride. Dimethyl ether is present as an impurity in crude methyl chloride produced by the catalytic esterification of methanol. The crude methyl chloride is cooled so that water and hydrogen chloride separate out. Gaseous hydrogen chloride is then added to the methyl chloride in an amount corresponding to at least twice the molar amount of dimethyl ether, and the gaseous mixture is passed over a methanol esterification contact catalyst at an elevated temperature.

Process for the removal of dimethyl ether in methyl chloride

Methyl chloride is manufactured from methanol and hydrogen chloride in the gaseous phase in the presence of an aluminum oxide catalyst. The reaction is carried out in the presence of from 1 to 80 liters of oxygen per kg of methanol.

Process for the manufacture of methyl chloride

Crude monochloromethane is freed from dimethylether by a washing with aqueous hydrochloric acid.

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Hofheim am Taunus, Germany

Hendrik W Post