Thomas K Curtis

US Patent:

50684485, Nov 26, 1991

Filed:

Oct 5, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/593143

Inventors:

Daniel D. Lindley - Portland TX
Thomas A. Curtis - Tega Cay SC
Timothy R. Ryan - Corpus Christi TX
Edward M. de la Garza - Corpus Christi TX
Charles B. Hilton - Corpus Christi TX
Thomas M. Kenesson - Corpus Christi TX

Assignee:

Hoechst Celanese Corporation - Somerville NJ

International Classification:

C07C 4545

US Classification:

568319

Abstract:

A continuous process is provided for the production of 4'-isobutylacetophenone (4-IBAP) comprising feeding liquid hydrogen fluoride (HF) and an acetylating agent into an extractor-reactor to form a first, HF-rich phase containing the acetylating agent, feeding isobutylbenzene (IBB) to the extractor-reactor to form a second, IBB-rich phase which is contacted with said first, HF-rich phase in a manner such that the acetylating agent reacts with IBB to form 4-IBAP which is extracted into the first, HF-rich phase, and a light IBB-rich second phase containing the bulk of unreacted IBB, externally recycling said second, IBB-rich phase to the IBB feed point in combination with fresh IBB to make up for IBB consumed in the reaction and that and dissolved in the HF-rich phase, and withdrawing HF-rich phase containing 4-IBAP from the extractor-reactor.

US Patent:

51854694, Feb 9, 1993

Filed:

Aug 23, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/748171

Inventors:

Daniel D. Lindley - Portland TX
Timothy R. Ryan - Corpus Christi TX
Thomas A. Curtis - Tega Cay SC
Edward M. De la Garza - Corpus Christi TX
Charles R. Hilton - North Kingstown RI
Thomas M. Kenesson - Corpus Christi TX

Assignee:

Hoechst Celanese Corp. - Somerville NJ

International Classification:

C07C 4545

US Classification:

568319

Abstract:

A continuous process is disclosed for the acylation or alkylation of aromatic compounds in hydrogen fluoride. The aromatic compound is sufficiently insoluble in hydrogen fluoride that a two phase reaction medium forms. However, surprisingly, the product acylated or alkylated aromatic compound is soluble in hydrogen fluoride. The present invention particularly relates to use of a continuous, multi-stage process for carrying out the acylation or alkylation reaction. In the multi-stage process, the continuous phase can be either the hydrogen-fluoride rich phase or the aromatic compound-rich phase. The movement of the continuous phase relative to the non-continuous (dispersed) phase can be countercurrent or concurrent. The multi-stage process can be operated in a manner such that the aromatic compound feed to the reaction is entirely consumed or such that unreacted aromatic compound is recycled.