Process for converting alkyl sultones to alkene sulfonic acids

Claim 2

A PROCESS FOR MAXIMIZING THE ALKENE SULFONIC ACID CONTENT OF A STRAIGHT CHAIN 10 TO 24 CARBON SULFONATED OLEFIN WHICH COMPRISES THE STEPS OF A. HYDROLYZING THE ALKYL SULTONE PRESENT IN THE SULFONATED OLEFIN TO ALKENESULFONIC ACID AND HYDROXYLKANESULFONIC ACID BY CONTACTING THE SULFONATED OLEFIN WITH FROM 5 TO 25 PERCENT OF WATER RELATIVE TO THE WEIGHT OF THE ALKYL SULTONE AT A TEMPERATURE OF FROM 100* TO 200*C FOR A PERIOD OF FROM ABOUT ONE-HALF HOUR TO ABOUT 20 HOURS, AND B. DEHYDRATING THE PRODUCT OF (A) TO CONVERT THE HYDROXYALKANESULFONIC ACID PRODUCED IN (A) BY HEATING THE PREDUCT AND DISTILLING OFF THE WATER PRODUCED BY THE REUSLTING DEHYDRATION OF THE HYDROXYALKYL SULFONIC ACID TO ALKYL SULTONE, AND C. HYDROLYZING AGAIN AS IN (A).

Claim 3

A process for maximizing the alkene sulfonic acid content of a straight chain 10 to 24 carbon sulfonated olefin which comprises the steps of a. hydrolyzing the alkyl sultone present in the sulfonated olefIn to alkenesulfonic acid and hydroxyalkanesulfonic acid by contacting the sulfonated olefin with from 5 to 25 percent of water relative to the weight of the alkyl sultone at a temperature of from 100* to 200*C for a period of from about one-half hour to about 20 hours, and b. dehydrating the product of (a) to convert the hydroxyalkanesulfonic acid produced in (a) by heating the product and distilling off the water produced by the resulting dehydration of the hydroxyalkyl sulfonic acid to alkyl sultone, and c. hydrolyzing again as in (a).

Claim 4

A process for maximizing the alkene sulfonic acid content of a straight chain 10 to 24 carbon sulfonated olefin which comprises the steps of a. hydrolyzing the alkyl sultone present in the sulfonated olefIn to alkenesulfonic acid and hydroxyalkanesulfonic acid by contacting the sulfonated olefin with from 5 to 25 percent of water relative to the weight of the alkyl sultone at a temperature of from 100* to 200*C for a period of from about one-half hour to about 20 hours, and b. dehydrating the product of (a) to convert the hydroxyalkanesulfonic acid produced in (a) by heating the product and distilling off the water produced by the resulting dehydration of the hydroxyalkyl sulfonic acid to alkyl sultone, and c. hydrolyzing again as in (a).

Claim 5

Process according to claim 1 wherein steps (b) and (c) are repeated at least one additional time.

Claim 6

The process of claim 2 wherein in (a) the water is employed in an amount of from 10 to 20 percent by weight relative to the alkyl sultone.

Claim 7

The process of claim 1 in which the temperature is from 140* to 170*C.

Claim 8

The process of claim 1 in which the sulfonated olefin contains from 13 to 22 carbon atoms.

Claim 9

The process of claim 1 in which the water is removed by distillation of a suitable azeotrope.