716. FLEMING, H. W. (Phillips Petroleum Co.). Solvent Extraction of Oxygenated Organic Compounds. United States Patent 2,580,750. Jan. 1, 1952: appl. filed May 8, 1949, Serial No. 92,192; 6 claims (Cl. 260-450).

Patent Abstracts

716. FLEMING, H. W. (Phillips Petroleum Co.). Solvent Extraction of Oxygenated Organic Compounds. United States Patent 2,580,750. Jan. 1, 1952: appl. filed May 8, 1949, Serial No. 92,192; 6 claims (Cl. 260-450).

Describes a process for recovering the organic acids, alcohols, aldehydes, and ketones form the normally liquid hydrocarbon mixture obtained by the catalytic hydrogenation of CO in the presence of an Fe catalyst. The organic acids are 1^st removed by washing with NaOH. Then ethylene glycol is added to the acid-free mixture in a volumetric ratio of 0.5:1-1.5:1 at <100º to selectively extract the alcohols and aldehydes from the hydrocarbon phase. The extracted aldehydes react with ethylene glycol to form acetals and the alcohols are separated by simple distillation. The acetals are then hydrolyzed by addition of H₂O in a volumetric ratio of H₂O: alcohol-free extract 0.5:1-1:1 and by heating to 100º-150º. The acetals are thus resolved to re-form the aldehydes, which are recovered by distillation. The raffinate is then extracted in a 2d step with ethylene glycol in a ratio of 1:1-4:1 to separate the ketones, which are recovered by distillation.