US4131521A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrochemical synthesis of organic carbonates
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
•
Filing: 1977-11-07
•
Granted: 1978-12-26
•
Expires: 1997-11-07
Abstract
Abstract A process is described for the electrochemical synthesis of organic carbonates, such as dimethyl carbonate and ethylene carbonate, useful as industrial solvents for polymers and resins, which comprises electrolyzing a liquid medium containing a nonfluoride halide-containing electrolyte and a paraffinic monohydric or 1,2-dihydric alcohol. The non-fluoride halide-containing electrolyte is present in an amount of about 0.01 to 10 weight percent of the alcohol used, and the electrolysis is conducted by passing a direct current through the liquid medium at a temperature below its boiling point and under a carbon monoxide atmosphere at a pressure of about 1 to 350 atmospheres.
Inventors
- 👤 Divna Cipris
- 👤 Irving L. Mador
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:20
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25B; C25B3/00; C25B3/20; C25B3/23; C25B3/01; C25B3/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A process for preparing non-polymeric organic carbonates comprising passing a direct electric current between an anode and cathode immersed in a liquid medium consisting essentially of a non-fluoride halide-containing electrolyte, carbon monoxide and a paraffinic monohydric or 1,2-dihydric alcohol, or mixture thereof, at a temperature below the boiling point of the liquid medium, and under an atmosphere consisting essentially of carbon monoxide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
62 words
A process for preparing non-polymeric organic carbonates comprising passing a direct electric current between an anode and cathode immersed in a liquid medium consisting essentially of a non-fluoride halide-containing electrolyte, carbon monoxide and a paraffinic monohydric or 1,2-dihydric alcohol, or mixture thereof, at a temperature below the boiling point of the liquid medium, and under an atmosphere consisting essentially of carbon monoxide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
A process of claim 1 wherein the organic carbonate has the following formulas: (1) RO--CO--OR', where R and R' are independently selected from linear or branched C 1 -C 18 alkyl; and (2) ##STR3## where R" is --CH 2 --CH 2 -- or --CH 2 --CH(CH 3 )--, and wherein said alcohol containing aforesaid R and R' radicals may contain other substituents which are inert under the reaction conditions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, ethylene glycol, and 1,2-propylene glycol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said alcohol is methanol or ethylene glycol.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said electrolyte contains a chloride, bromide or iodide ion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 5 wherein said halide ion is bromide ion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said electrolyte contains a cation selected from hydrogen, lithium, sodium, potassium, ammonium or tetraalkylammonium, wherein the alkyl groups are independently linear or branched and contain 1 to 18 carbon atoms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said electrolyte is lithium bromide, ammonium bromide, hydrogen bromide or hydrogen chloride.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said electrolyte is present in about 0.01 to 10 weight percent based on the weight of said alcohol present.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 conducted in the temperature range of about 0° to 100° C.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 conducted under a carbon monoxide atmosphere at a pressure of about 1 to about 350 atmospheres.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said cathode is a stable medium or low hydrogen overpotential metal, alloy or non-metallic conductor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 12 wherein said cathode is stainless steel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the anode is graphite, platinum, or noble metal activated titanium or tantalum.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
10 words
The process of claim 14 wherein said anode is graphite.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the current density is about 10 to 500 mA/cm 2 .
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
64 words
The process of claim 1 wherein a direct electric current is passed between an anode and cathode immersed in a solution containing methanol and about 1 to 10 weight percent of a bromide-containing electrolyte, based on the amount of methanol, at a temperature of about 20° to 60° C., and under a carbon monoxide atmosphere at a pressure from about 10 to 200 atmospheres.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said liquid medium further comprises an inert reaction solvent having good solvency for the alcohol.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3397226A
Cited
US3397225A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-12-25 | 1982-06-26 | 1982-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-12-25 | 1986-06-26 | 1986-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-12-25 | 1990-06-26 | 1990-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |