ICI Has New Route to Alkyl Vinyl Ethers
Chemical & Engineering News · 1965
Imperial Chemical Industries' Heavy Organic Chemicals division has developed an ethylene route to alkyl vinyl ethers. The process represents an entirely new technology from the traditional acetylene approach. ICI claims that it could result in lowering price for the methyl derivative in the U.K. to about one third the U.S. price, 35 cents per pound (in bulk). The more attractive price may well open a wider outlet for the material. ICI is now launching a publicity campaign and is featuring the development at the annual Oil and Colour Chemists' Association exhibition now under way in London. The conventional route to alkyl vinyl ethers involves reaction between acetylene and an alcohol in the presence of an alkaline catalyst at about 150° C. Dr. Walter Reppe did much to develop the underlying chemistry when he was with the old I. G. Farben combine in Germany before World War II. In fact, Badische Anilin- und Soda-Fabrik, with which Dr. Reppe is associated, is the only maker of the vinyl ethers in Europe. BASF's annual capacity for methyl, ethyl, and isobutyl vinyl ethers is about 13 million lb. Oxidation. ICI won't specify the details of its process except to say that it involves a new catalytic system. Instead of a direct addition, as in the acetylene route, ICI's method involves an oxidation reaction. Until now the HOC division chemists have concentrated their efforts on making the methyl derivative. However, they could just as easily go to a higher alkyl homolog and are now carrying out process development work in that direction. It is also possible to make the higher alkyl derivatives from methyl vinyl ether by a transvinylation reaction with a higher carbon alcohol. ...