The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 07, 2015
Filed:
Oct. 04, 2011
Andrew M. Lemonds, Schwenksville, PA (US);
Jinsuo Xu, Fort Washington, PA (US);
Andrew M. Lemonds, Schwenksville, PA (US);
Jinsuo Xu, Fort Washington, PA (US);
Abstract
This invention provides a method for producing α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid esters in high yield from acetone cyanohydrin and sulfuric acid through the separation and concurrent catalytic conversion of reaction side products to additional α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester product. The catalyst comprises at least one Group IA element and may include a porous support and/or a promoter element selected from at least one of phosphorous, boron, titanium, zinc, zirconium, tin, bismuth, cerium, and alkaline earth metals. The method for producing methacrylic acid esters, such as methylmethacrylate (MMA), comprises the steps of: i) providing an alkyl alcohol and an organic traction comprising an alkyl methacrylate, an alkyl α-hydroxyisobutyrate and an alkoxyisobutyrate; ii) vaporizing at least a portion of the organic fraction and at least a portion of the alkyl alcohol; iii) contacting the vaporized organic fraction and alcohol with a catalyst comprising at least one element selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium and francium, to convert the alkyl ahydroxyisobutyrate and alkyl alkoxyisobutyrate to additional alkyl methacrylate and produce a mixture comprising alkyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid, alkyl alcohol, and water.