Bp Chemicals Limited

Malcolm J Lawrenson

Derek K MacAlpine

Alexander G Kent

2,3-dimethylbutene-1 (2,3-DMB1) is produced from propene by a process comprising the steps of:

Process for the production of 2,3-dimethylbutene-1 from propene

A process for the production of isobutylbenzenes in particular, isobutylbenzene itself, is provided. The process is in two stages and comprises (1) reacting a vinylcyclohexane with an isoolefin of formula (R)(R.sup.1)C.dbd.C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 in the presence of a dismutation catalyst to produce an isobutenylcyclohexene and (2) contacting the isobutenylcyclohexene with a dehydroisomerisation catalyst to produce an isobutylbenzene. Examples of vinylcyclohexenes which can be used include 4-vinylcyclohexene and styrene.

Process for the production of isobutylbenzenes

This invention relates to a process for dismuting functionalized olefins using a catalyst which has rhenium heptoxide on phosphated alumina and a metal hydrocarbon compound such as an alkyl tin. The olefins that may be dismuted are those which have a hetero atom such as oxygen, nitrogen or halide in the chain. Specific examples are olefinic compounds which have an ester, ether or a ketone group. The products of the reaction are useful chemical intermediates.

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Swanland, United Kingdom

Malcolm J Lawrenson