Process for the manufacture of nitropropanes
View Patent ↗Provided is a process for the formation of 2-nitropropane and/or 2,2-dinitropropane by the nitration of propane with dilute nitric acid.
1. A process for the selective formation of 2-nitropropane and 2,2-dinitropropane, the process comprising:
reacting propane with aqueous nitric acid at a pressure of at least about 1000 psi and a temperature of between about 215 and about 290 degrees Celsius; and
recovering the formed nitrated compounds,
wherein the aqueous nitric acid is a 10 to 50 weight percent solution.
2. A process according to claim 1 wherein the aqueous nitric acid is a 15 to 40weight percent solution.
3. A process according to claim 1 wherein the aqueous nitric acid is a 18 to 35weight percent solution.
4. A process according to claim 1 wherein the molar ratio of propane to nitric acid is at least about 1.2 to 1.
5. A process according to claim 1 wherein the temperature is greater than 230degrees Celsius.
6. A process according to claim 1 wherein the reaction is conducted in a downflow configured reactor.
7. A process according to claim 6 wherein the reactor is surrounded by a shell for feeding heat exchange fluid to the outer surface of the reactor.
8. A process according to claim 1 wherein the reaction is conducted in a packed reactor.
9. A process according to claim 1 wherein the reaction is conducted in an un-packed reactor.
10. A process according to claim 1 wherein the weight ratio of 2-nitropropane to 2,2-dinitropropane is at least about 15:1.