Question

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What’s all the synthesis route for production propylene glycol methyl ether from propylene oxide?

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Answer 1

The synthesis route for production propylene glycol methyl ether from propylene oxide :

Propylene glycol methyl ether can be produced from propylene oxide and methanol by catalytic distillation using a dual homogeneous/ heterogeneous catalyst system.

1. A solid basic catalyst is dissolved in a methanol to form a homogeneous solution
2. The solution is fed in a catalytic distillation column containing a heterogeneous basic catalyst fixed in location of column
3. Propylene oxide is fed to the column.
4. Pure Propylene glycol methyl ether is removed as bottom product.

In the catalytic distillation column, methanol reacts with propylene oxide following dual homogeneous catalytic reaction and heterogeneous catalytic reaction to form propylene glycol methyl ether.

The homogeneous basic catalyst is anhydrous sodium methoxide (97% anhydrous form) or potassium methoxide.

Pressure is maintained at 1.8 to 4 atm ; Preferably at 3 atm.

Heterogeneous reaction zone temperature : 50-70⁰C

Above Heterogeneous reaction zone temperature : 50 - 70⁰C

Below Heterogeneous reaction zone temperature: 100- 160⁰C