449. ------. [CROMEANS, J. S.] (Phillips Petroleum Co.). Separation of Oxygen-Containing Compounds. United States Patent 2,573,185, Oct. 30, 1951; appl. filed Dec. 20, 1948, Serial No. 66,353; 11 claims (Cl. 260-488). Chem. Abs., vol. 46, 1952, p. 52

Patent Abstracts

449. ------. [CROMEANS, J. S.] (Phillips Petroleum Co.). Separation of Oxygen-Containing Compounds. United States Patent 2,573,185, Oct. 30, 1951; appl. filed Dec. 20, 1948, Serial No. 66,353; 11 claims (Cl. 260-488). Chem. Abs., vol. 46, 1952, p. 5294.

Describes process for resolving an aqueous solution containing as the chief organic components, acetaldehyde, acetone, methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, pentanol, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butric acid, which is obtained from the catalytic hydrogenation of CO. The mixture is first charged to a fractionating column and topped at 85º. Acetaldehyde, acetone, methanol, ethanol, and H₂O are separated. The aqueous residual product from the topping step is then extracted with diethyl ether to separate the dissolved organic oxygenated compounds from the H₂O. The dilethyl ether is distilled from the resulting extract and H₂SO₄ is added, also benzene. Esterification is next carried out and H₂O of esterification is removed as an azeotrope with benzene. The H₂O-free mixture is then fractionated to produce propyl acetate and acetic acid, after which butyric acid is added to displace propionic acid from the propionates in the residual product. Continued fractionation then yields propionic acid, butyl butyrate, and amyl butyrate.

See abs. 717.