2065. LOBO, W. E., AND SKAPERDAS, G. T. (M. W. Kellogg Co.). Dehydration of Alcohols. United States Patent 2,597,009, May 20, 1952; appl. filed May 28, 1948, Serial No. 29,764; 16 claims (Cl. 260-450). Chem. Abs., vol. 47, 1953, p. 2194.

Aqueous solution of C₃ and higher alcohols obtained by the catalytic hydrogenation of CO is separated, and the alcohols are recovered by contacting the solution with at least 1 liquid solvent selected from the group consisting of a bromotoluene and halogenated non-aromatic cyclic hydrocarbons. In an example, an aqueous alcohol feed comprising by volume 20% propanol, 5% butanol, and 75% H₂O is treated countercurrently in the extraction tower with a bromotoluene as the solvent. By supplying solvent at the rate of 0.67 lb. per lb. of feed, it is found that substantially all of the propanol and butanol are recovered in the extract phase in which the concentration of H₂O is approximately 5% by weight. The extract is next distilled to separate the solvent as a relatively high-boiling fraction from the remaining alcohols, which are recovered in the vapor state, condensed and distilled to take overhead residual H₂O as propanol-H₂O azeotropes. A substantially H₂O-free mixture of propanol and butanol is recovered as bottoms.

LOCHMANN, K. See abs. 2817.