Process for reacting an α, β-unsaturated dicarboxylic acid compound with an ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon

Abstract

The invention provides an improved method of synthesizing chemicals according to the ene reaction. The method addresses two problems that previously could not be addressed simultaneously, preventing charring of the reaction, and preventing gaseous degradation of the reagents. The method involves adding a boron bearing compound and an aromatic/antioxidant compound to the ene reaction. Combining these two compounds together inhibits charring and also causes an effect that neither compound can accomplish alone. The addition of these two compounds together also more effectively prevents either of the reagents from degrading than when either reagent is added alone. As a result the method reduces costs by reducing the amount of reagents needed for a synthesis and further reduces costs by eliminating the need to filter out char from the end products of the ene reaction. The method is particularly useful in the ene reaction synthesis of ASA from olefins and maleic anhydride.