Atlantic Richfield Company

Arco Chemical Company

Wilfred P Shum

John F White

Eva M Beals

Charles F Cooper

Production of novel molybdenum dioxo dialkyleneglycolate compositions, especially adapted for use as catalysts in the epoxidation of olefinic compounds with an organic hydroperoxide, by reaction of molybdenum trioxide with particular dialkylene glycol compounds at specified elevated temperatures while removing water.

Epoxidation of olefins with molybdenum dioxo dialkyleneglycolate

Asymmetric epoxidation of allylic alcohols using carboxylic acid treated phenethyl hydroperoxide oxidate and titanium tartrate catalyst gave optically active glycidols following an enantioselection rule opposite to that observed from the Sharpless epoxidation (U.S. Pat. No. 4,471,130). Overall yield and enantiomeric excess of the glycidol made are dependent on the amount of carboxylic acid present in the oxidate feed. This novel finding provides a direct epoxidation route to (R)-glycidol using the less expensive natural L-(+)-dialkyl tartrate ligand.

Asymmetric epoxidation of allylic alcohols

Production of molybdenum dioxo dialkyleneglycolate compositions for

A novel method for producing branched carboxylic acids or esters from alpha-unsaturated olefins is disclosed. Such olefins are reacted with a novel, sterically hindered, ortho substituted phenylphosphine palladium halide catalysts in the presence of water or primary or secondary alcohols to produce high branched end product yields. Such catalysts have phosphine ligand cone angles of between about 170.degree. and 180.degree.. Tris(o-methoxyphenyl)phosphine palladium halide and o-trifluoromethylphenyldiphenylphosphine palladium halide catalysts are preferred.

Method for producing branched carbonylation products from alpha

A novel method of converting alkanoic acids, such as isobutyric acid, to alpha-beta unsaturated acids, such as methacrylic acid, is disclosed which exhibits a higher degree of selectivity than those vapor phase oxydehydration methods heretofore known to the art. The preferred method comprises contacting a Dawson structure phosphomolybdic acid catalyst with isobutyric acid under specified reaction conditions to achieve a high selectivity for methacrylic acid.

High selectivity process for vapor phase oxydehydrogenation of alkanoic

A novel synthesis of methacrylic acid and methacrolein from isobutylene oxide is provided. This method includes contacting isobutylene oxide with a catalyst, preferably a heteropolyacid catalyst, in the presence of oxygen. Using this method, isobutylene oxide conversion is nearly 100% complete. Depending upon the reaction temperature selected, yields of up to about 60% methacrolein and up to about 12% methacrylic acid may be obtained. A simple, inexpensive high yield process is thus provided for producing reaction mixtures containing methacrylic acid and methacrolein.

Oxidation of isobutylene oxide to methacrylic acid and methacrolein

Process for the oxidation of isobutylene oxide to methacrolein

A novel synthetic procedure is disclosed for producing heteropolyacid catalysts having the general formula H.sub.3+x PV.sub.x W.sub.3-x Mo.sub.9 O.sub.40 where 0&lt;x&lt;3. The synthesis of these catalysts requires the formation of a defect structure wherein three of the twelve transition metals which surround the phosphorus hetero atom are missing. Three metal atoms of two other transition metals are then added to the cluster in a separate step by mixing Na.sub.3 H.sub.6 PMo.sub.9 O.sub.34 with the oxides of such transition metals in the presence of hydrochloric acid. A preferred catalyst having the formula H.sub.3.5 PV.sub.0.5 W.sub.2.5 Mo.sub.9 O.sub.40 is also described.

Growing community of inventors

Swarthmore, PA, United States of America

Wilfred P Shum