Akzo Nobel Chemicals International B.v.

Nouryon Chemicals International B.v.

Jacobus Theodorus Josef Aaldering

Melle Rinze Nieuwhof

André Banier De Haan

Gerrald Bargeman

Cornelis Johannes Govardus Van Strien

Boelo Schuur

Anton Alexandru Kiss

Mark Theodorus Gerardus Jongmans

Antoon Jacob Berend Ten Kate

Lars Magnus Tollin

Henricus Johannes Marinus Petrus Van Hal

Paul Verwer

Matheus Theodorus De Groot

Johannes Josef Pragt

Arie Grootenboer

Johannes Jozef Pragt

Alex Londoño Rodriguez

Alex LONDOÑO Rodriguez

The present invention pertains to a process for the purification of a feed comprising monochloroacetic acid and dichloroacetic acid wherein the feed is subjected to a catalytic hydrodechlorination step by contacting it with a source of hydrogen to convert dichloroacetic acid into monochloroacetic acid in the presence of a solid heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst comprising a Group VIII noble metal on a carrier under hydrodechlorination conditions, wherein the reaction is carried out in the presence of a catalyst enhancer which comprises a salt of a metal selected from the group of non-noble metals of Group VIII, Group VIB, Group VIIB, and Group IIB. It was found that the presence of a catalyst enhancer leads to reduced deactivation of the catalyst and/or increased activity of the spent catalyst. This allows longer production cycles, less downtime, and lower formation of side products. The catalyst enhancer preferably comprises one or more salts of one or more of nickel, cobalt, or iron, more in particular of iron. The salts preferably comprise one or more of chloride salts and acetate salts.

Process for the purification of monochloroacetic acid

The present invention pertains to a process for separating monochloroacetic acid and dichloroacetic acid from one another via extractive distillation using (a) an extractive agent that is chemically stable and has a BFaffinity of between 65 kJ/mole and 110 kJ/mole and (b) an organic solvent that is either an acid with a lowest pKa of between 3.0 and 6.5 or a base with a BFaffinity of between 40 kJ/mole and 75 kJ/mole with the proviso that said BFaffinity is lower than the BFaffinity of the extractive agent, said organic solvent being chemically stable, and having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of at least 468K, comprising the steps of (i) contacting a mixture comprising monochloroacetic acid and dichloroacetic acid with the extractive agent, (ii) distilling the mixture obtained in step (i) to obtain a monochloroacetic acid stream and a stream comprising dichloroacetic acid and the extractive agent, (iii) subjecting the stream comprising dichloroacetic acid and the extractive agent to a regeneration step, wherein the organic solvent is contacted with the mixture comprising monochloroacetic acid and dichloroacetic acid of step (i), or wherein the organic solvent is contacted with the mixture obtained in step (i) prior to and/or during step (ii), or wherein the organic solvent is contacted with the stream comprising dichloroacetic acid and the extractive agent obtained in step (ii) prior to or during step (iii), or any combination thereof.

Process for separating monochloroacetic acid and dichloroacetic acid via extractive distillation using an organic solvent

The present invention pertains to a process for separating monochloroacetic acid and dichloroacetic acid from one another via extractive distillation, comprising the steps of (i) contacting a mixture comprising monochloroacetic acid and dichloroacetic acid with an extractive agent which is chemically stable and which has a BFaffinity of between 65 kJ/mole and 110 kJ/mole, (ii) distilling the mixture to obtain a monochloroacetic acid stream and a stream comprising dichloroacetic acid and the extractive agent, and (iii) regenerating the extractive agent.

Process for separating monochloroacetic acid and dichloroacetic acid via extractive distillation

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Doesburg, Netherlands

Jacobus Theodorus Josef Aaldering