Formation of nitrate esters in microreactors and millireactors using a continuous product extraction in a turbulent flow regime

1. A process for the continuous production of a compound of Formula (II),

HO—R 1 —ONO 2   (II)

wherein R 1 is a straight chain alkyl radical having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, in a two-phase solvent system, comprising:

(a) forming the two-phase solvent system by contacting a compound of Formula (I),

HO—R 1 —OH  (I)

wherein R 1 is as defined above, with nitric acid in the presence of first and second immiscible solvents,

(b) passing the two-phase solvent system under a flow condition through a mixing microreactor having an average hydraulic diameter and length to provide ΔW ≧1.3 ΔWs, wherein ΔW is a power loss of the reaction mixture flow at the flow condition through the mixing microreactor, and ΔWs is a straight-channel power loss of the reaction mixture flow at the flow condition through a circular cross-section straight-channel microreactor having an internal diameter equal to the average hydraulic diameter of the mixing microreactor and a length equal to the length of the mixing microreactor; and

(c) in the mixing microreactor, continuously forming the compound of Formula (II) in the first solvent of the two-phase solvent system and extracting the formed compound of Formula (II) into the second solvent thereof.

2. A process according to claim 1 , wherein step (b) is practiced such that ΔW ≧2ΔWs.

3. A process according to claim 1 , wherein step (b) is practiced so that the two-phase solvent=system has a flow rate through the mixing microreactor of at least 0.1ms −1 .

4. A process according to claim 1 , wherein the mixing microreactor has a zig-zag internal geometry.

5. A process according to claim 1 , wherein the mixing microreactor comprises an internal geometry which is in a form of a repeating heart-shaped motif.

6. A process according to claim 1 , wherein step (b) is practiced such that the flow condition of the two-phase solvent system through the mixing microreactor has a Reynolds number of from 400 to 2000.

7. A process according to claim 1 , wherein the second solvent is a halogenated organic solvent.

8. A process according to claim 1 , wherein the process is carried out at a temperature of from 30° C. to 60° C.

9. A process according to claim 1 , wherein the compound of Formula (I) is 1,4-butanediol.

10. A process according to claim 1 , further comprising the subsequent step of adjusting the two-phase solvent system to a pH of at least 7.

11. A process according to claim 1 , wherein step (b) is practiced by passing the two-phase solvent system through more than one mixing microreactor in parallel.