Propylene Oxide → 2-hydroxymethylethyl isopropyl maleate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

2100 grams of 2-propyl maleate (Example 1), 8.12 grams of triphenylphosphine, and 8.12 grams of tri-2-ethylhexylphosphite were charged to a 4 liter stirred stainless steel pressure autoclave. The reactor was twice pressurized with nitrogen then depressurized, finally leaving 0.36 kPa nitrogen. The reactor contents were heated to 85° C., and 829.74 grams of propylene oxide were added over 3 hours. Then 270 grams of propylene oxide were added. After 3 hours, the pressure was lowered to remove residual propylene oxide. The product was a liquid containing less than 100 parts per million propylene oxide, having a viscosity of 75.7 centipoise at 25° C. and an acid number of 0.61 milligrams KOH/gram of solution.

Provenance & Evidence