Removal of alcohols and water from a methylcyclopentadiene recycle stream in a process for the synthesis of methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
The field of the present invention is the synthesis of a manganese-containing organometallic compound—methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl. More specifically, a key raw material in the synthesis process is treated to reduce the amount of protic side products in the material, thereby improving the yield of the overall synthesis.
1 . A method of extracting water and alcohol from a mixture comprising methylcyclopentadiene, water and alcohol, comprising:
(a) providing an organic material comprising methylcyclopentadiene, water and alcohol;
(b) adding water to the organic material to create organic and aqueous fractions; and
(c) separating the organic and aqueous fractions;
wherein the separated organic fraction comprises less water or alcohol than in the organic material before the addition of water and separation of fractions.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the alcohol comprises methanol.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the alcohol comprises 2-methoxyethanol.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the amount of water added to the organic material is from about one to about ten vol. %.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the amount of water added to the organic material is about 2.5 vol. %.
6 . The method of claim f, further comprising processing the separated organic fraction by contacting a bed of molecular sieve.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising processing the separated organic fraction by contacting a bed of activated alumina.
8 . A method of improving the purity of methylcyclopentadiene to be added to a methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl synthesis reaction, by removing water and/or alcohol contaminants therein, said method comprising:
(a) adding to methylcyclopentadiene contaminated with water and/or alcohol an amount of water sufficient to create methylcyclopentadiene and aqueous fractions;
(b) separating the methylcyclopentadiene and aqueous fractions;
wherein the separated methylcyclopentadiene comprised less water and/or alcohol than the initial methylcyclopentadiene.
9 . Methylcyclopentadiene produced by the method of claim 8 .
10 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising processing the separated organic fraction by contacting a bed of molecular sieve.
11 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising processing the separated organic fraction by contacting a bed of activated alumina.
12 . Methylcyclopentadiene of claim 11 , wherein the methylcyclopentadiene is greater than about 85%, by weight, pure.
13 . Methylcyclopentadiene of claim 12 , wherein the methylcyclopentadiene is greater than about 90%, by weight, pure.
14 . Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl produced by the method comprising providing the methylcyclopentadiene of claim 9 .
15 . A composition comprising a hydrocarbonaceous fuel and methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl of claim 14 .
16 . The composition of claim 15 , wherein the hydrocarbonaceous fuel is selected from a group consisting of a gasoline fuel and a diesel fuel.
17 . An internal combustion engine containing the composition of claim 15.