Naphthalene → Phthalic Anhydride

Participants

Reaction Steps

The optimum yield of phthalic anyhdride is produced in the temperature range of 360° ± 10° C, with temperatures over or under this range resulting in over or under oxidation, respectively, of the napthalene yielding undesirable products such as 1-4 napthoquinone, phthalic acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, etc. With a vanadium pentoxide catalyst structure made according to the present invention, a yield of 99% phthalic anhydride was obtained with only a slight trace of 1-4 napthoquinone. Throughout this reaction, the temperature of the catalyst structure was easily maintainable within the optimum operating temperature range of 360° C ± 10° C.

Provenance & Evidence