Allyl Acetate Purification via Water Extraction and Distillation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for producing n-propyl acetate and allyl acetate face challenges in achieving high purity and yield due to the presence of water as a by-product in oxidative carboxylation reactions, leading to difficulties in separation and subsequent hydrogenation reactions.

Innovation Solution

A method involving an extraction process using water as a solvent followed by distillation and oil-water separation to reduce water content, allowing for high-purity allyl acetate production and subsequent high-yield n-propyl acetate production through hydrogenation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If oxidative carboxylation reaction is used to produce allyl acetate, then production efficiency is improved, but water content increases leading to separation difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidpurity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the separation process into multiple stages: first separating the reaction mixture into organic and aqueous phases, then further purifying the organic phase through distillation. This segmented approach effectively removes water while maintaining high production efficiency from the oxidative carboxylation reaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts water from the reaction mixture by separating it into an aqueous phase, removing the harmful by-product that causes separation difficulties. This extraction step isolates water from the allyl acetate product, resolving the contradiction between efficient production and product purity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If water is not removed from allyl acetate, then processing steps are reduced, but hydrogenation reaction yield decreases due to minor reactions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing stepsVSAvoidhydrogenation reaction yield
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs water removal through phase separation and distillation before the hydrogenation reaction. This preliminary action eliminates water that would otherwise cause minor reactions during hydrogenation, ensuring high yield while maintaining a reasonable number of processing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple distillation steps are used to remove water, then purity is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovepurityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the purification process into phase separation followed by a single distillation step, rather than using multiple distillation steps. This segmented approach achieves high purity while minimizing energy consumption by removing the bulk of water through low-energy phase separation first.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method effectively reduces water content in the reaction mixture, minimizing minor reactions and achieving high purity and yield of n-propyl acetate, while also simplifying the separation process and reducing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

an extraction process of subjecting a reaction mixture to an extraction operation using water as an extraction solvent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid-liquid extraction: Liquid-Liquid Extraction

Implementation Method 2

a distillation process of distilling the oily phase to obtain a distillate containing allyl acetate as a main component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDistillation: Distillation

Implementation Method 3

a hydrogenation process of subjecting the distillate to a hydrogenation reaction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogenation: Hydrogenation

Data Source

PatentEP2552882B1Method for producing n-propyl acetate and method for producing allyl acetate
Publication Date: 2016.05.11 RESONAC HOLDINGS CORP
  • EP2552882B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2552882B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2552882B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided is a method for producing n-propyl acetate, which is capable of obtaining high-purity allyl acetate with a low amount of coexisting water and is capable of producing n-propyl acetate with a high yield. The method includes an extraction process of subjecting a raw material liquid containing allyl acetate and water to an extraction operation using water as an extraction solvent and separating the extract into an oily phase and an aqueous phase, a distillation process of distilling the oily phase to obtain a distillate containing allyl acetate as a main component, and a hydrogenation process of subjecting the distillate to a hydrogenation reaction.