Atofina

Elf Atochem S.a.

R&eacute;my Teissier

Maurice Fournier

Georges Martino-Gauchi

Francois Mongenet

For the continuous manufacture of &bgr;-isophorone by isomerization under homogeneous catalysis of &agr;-isophorone, the steps of introducing the &agr;-isophorone and a solution of an alkaline hydroxide into a reaction region, bringing the reaction mixture to reflux at a temperature at least equal to 150&deg; C. under a equal P1 of less than or equal to atmospheric pressure, continuously and simultaneously removing from the reaction mixture: &bgr;-isophorone vapor, by distillation under a pressure P2 less than P1 and at a temperature at most equal to 150&deg; C., and heavy products, at a rate, so that their content by weight is at most equal to 7% in the reaction mixture, and continuous returning the distillation to the reaction region.

Continuous process for the manufacture of 3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexa-3-en-1-one (B-isophorone)

This invention relates to a continuous process for the manufacture of &bgr;-isophorone by isomerization under homogeneous catalysis of &agr;-isophorone. The process consists of introducing &agr;-isophorone and a solution of an alkaline hydroxide into a reaction region at a temperature ranging from 150&deg; C. to 216&deg; C., simultaneously removing by distillation a fraction comprising an amount by weight of &bgr;-isophorone ranging from 30% to 90%, drawing off the heavy products and then rectifying the fraction removed from the reaction mixture by distillation.

Growing community of inventors

Francheville, France

Rémy Teissier

Growing community of inventors

Francheville, France

R&eacute;my Teissier

Rémy Teissier