Joseph R Sims

US Patent:

43149456, Feb 9, 1982

Filed:

Dec 22, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/863354

Inventors:

Charles H. McMullen - Katonah NY
James R. Nelson - S. Charleston WV
Bernard C. Ream - Charleston WV
Joseph A. Sims - Elkview WV

Assignee:

Union Carbide Corporation - New York NY

International Classification:

C07D31736
C07D31738

US Classification:

2603402

Abstract:

A process for making alkylene carbonate by the reaction of carbon dioxide and an alkylene oxide of the formula ##STR1## wherein R, R. sub. 1, R. sub. 2 and R. sub. 3 are one or more of hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, allyloxy, chloroalkyl, and aryloxy to produce the corresponding carbonate, which comprises: (a) providing a homogeneous liquid phase reaction zone in which the predominant material therein is the alkylene carbonate; (b) providing a catalytic amount of an alkylene oxide carbonation catalyst to said liquid phase; (c) having dissolved in said liquid phase sufficient CO. sub. 2 to provide a molal amount therein which exceeds the molal amount of the catalyst; (d) providing a CO. sub. 2 pressure in the reaction zone of between about 150 psig and about 750 psig; (e) maintaining a sufficient amount of the alkylene oxide in the reaction to maintain the pressure and temperature thereof; (f) maintaining the reaction zone at a temperature at which the alkylene oxide and CO. sub. 2 react to form alkylene carbonate, which temperature is not greater than about 200. degree. C.