The invention is directed toward the production of 3-methylsulfolene using
isoprene and can be used in the chemical and
petrochemical industry. A process of producing 3-methylsulfolene using
isoprene comprises reacting
isoprene with
sulfur dioxide in a cyclization reaction in the presence of an isoprene
polymerization inhibitor and a tenfold excess of
solvent relative to the amount of 3-methylsulfolene produced, at a temperature of 60-80°C and a pressure of 1.0 MPa for 1-2 hours, and subsequently purifying and
drying the 3-methylsulfolene. The process is carried out in a
plant for producing 3-methylsulfolene which consists of a
batch reaction apparatus having an
agitator and a heat exchange jacket, a
fractionating column, pumps, feedstock tanks, final product tanks, intermediate tanks, a
sulfur oxidation unit, a filter unit, and a unit of heat exchangers that are interconnected by a
system of pipes with shutoff valves. The process of producing 3-methylsulfolene provides a high yield of high-purity target product, prevents large losses of
solvent and enables more efficient use of
sulfur, and can be used for industrial-scale production with the aid of the proposed
plant, which provides for efficient production of 3-methylsulfolene.