Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.

Taiji Matsuzaki

Takafumi Abe

Shuji Ebata

Hirofumi Higuchi

Kazuhiro Sugamura

In the production of glycidyl methacrylate from an alkali metal salt of methacrylic acid and epichlorohydrin, at least one water-soluble polymerization inhibitor is added at an appropriate stage of the production. The addition of the water-soluble polymerization inhibitor prevents the formation of insoluble solid matters to increase the efficiency of phase separation in the washing operation for removing a by-produced salt and form a clear interface between the phases, thereby minimizing the recovery loss. In addition, the troubles such as clogging of pipe lines of production apparatus and equipment for waster water treatment can be avoided.

Method of producing glycidyl methacrylate

There is disclosed a process for efficiently producing hydrogen cyanide at a reaction temperature of preferably 250.degree. to 550.degree. C. by a catalytic dehydrative reaction of formamide which comprises employing as a catalyst, a manganese oxide (MnO) and/or a magnesium oxide (MgO) each modified with an alkali metal (Na, K, Rb, Cs, etc. ). The above process is capable of producing hydrogen cyanide at an enhanced conversion efficiency of formamide and at a high selectivity while minimizing the by-production of ammonia. The use of the catalyst comprising as a principal component, MnO modified with an alkali metal is particularly effective in prolonging its service life and enables a long-term stable operation.

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Niigata, Japan

Taiji Matsuzaki