US4233466A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Homologation process for the production of ethanol from methanol
Assignee: Union Carbide Corp
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Filing: 1979-11-15
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Granted: 1980-11-11
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Expires: 1999-11-15
Abstract
Abstract A process for producing ethanol from the reaction of methanol, hydrogen and carbon monoxide catalyzed by a phosphine-iodine promoted cobalt-ruthenium catalyst, the improvement of maintaining the phosphine to halide ratio and concentration within a critical range, and whereby the concentration of phosphine compound in the reaction mixture is increased without causing an undesirable decrease in the activity of the catalyst; thereby obtaining a highly stable and active catalyst providing an increased selectivity to ethanol formation. This is accomplished under such conditions that the catalyst stability is maintained and the ratio of phosphine to halide is kept at a relatively constant value during the reaction.
Inventors
- 👤 Rocco A. Fiato
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:20
CPC Classifications
C; C07; C07C; C07C29/00; C07C29/32; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P20/00; Y02P20/50; Y02P20/582
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
In a substantially solvent free process of producing ethanol from the reaction of methanol, hydrogen and carbon monoxide wherein the reaction is catalyzed by cobalt, ruthenium, an iodine promoter, and a phosphine ligand of the formula ##STR2## wherein P is phosphorus and R 1 , R 2 and R 3 when taken individually are monovalent alkyl having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; aryl, aralkyl or alkaryl having from 6 to 10 ring carbon atoms; or cycloalkyl having from 5 to 8 ring carbon atoms; and when any two taken together are a divalent alkylene having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms; the improvement comprising maintaining the phosphine to halide mole ratio at from 1:0.36 to 1:5 while the phosphine to cobalt mole ratio exceeds 1.5:1, whereby the activity, stability and selectivity to ethanol formation of the catalyst are increased.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
In a substantially solvent free process of producing ethanol from the reaction of methanol, hydrogen and carbon monoxide wherein the reaction is catalyzed by cobalt, ruthenium, an iodine promoter, and a phosphine ligand of the formula ##STR2## wherein P is phosphorus and R 1 , R 2 and R 3 when taken individually are monovalent alkyl having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; aryl, aralkyl or alkaryl having from 6 to 10 ring carbon atoms; or cycloalkyl having from 5 to 8 ring carbon atoms; and when any two taken together are a divalent alkylene having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms; the improvement comprising maintaining the phosphine to halide mole ratio at from 1:0.36 to 1:5 while the phosphine to cobalt mole ratio exceeds 1.5:1, whereby the activity, stability and selectivity to ethanol formation of the catalyst are increased.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improved process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said phosphine to halide mole ratio is about 1:0.45.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improved process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said phosphine to halide mole ratio is about 1:0.6.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improved process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said phosphine to cobalt mole ratio is about 3.33:1.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improved process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said phosphine to cobalt mole ratio is about 5:1.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improved process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mole ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide is from 5:1 to 1:5.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improved process as claimed in claim 6 wherein the said mole ratio is about 2:1.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improved process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said cobalt compound is cobalt acetate tetrahydrate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improved process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said iodine promoter is elemental iodine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improved process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ruthenium compound is ruthenium trichloride.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improved process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ruthenium compound is triruthenium dodecarcarbonyl.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improved process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said phosphine ligand is tricyclohexylphosphine.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-11-11 | 1984-05-12 | 1984-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-11 | 1988-05-12 | 1988-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-11 | 1992-05-12 | 1992-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |