PRODUCTION PROCESS FOR 3,5-DI-TERT-UTYLBENZENESULFONIC ACID
A process for producing 3,5-di-tert-butylbenzenesulfonic acid includes forming a solution of 1,3,5-tri-tert-butyl benzene in a solvent, exposing said solution to anhydrous hydrogen chloride gas, and reacting 1,3,5-tri-tert-butylbenzene with a sulfonating agent to form 3,5-di-tert-butylbenzenesulfonic acid. Said exposing of said solution to anhydrous hydrogen chloride gas is carried out before reacting said 1,3,5-tri-tert-butylbenzene with said sulfonating agent. The process also includes recovering said 3,5-di-tert-butylbenzenesulfonic acid.
1 . A process for producing 3,5-di-tert-butylbenzenesulfonic acid comprising:
forming a solution of 1,3,5-tri-tert-butyl benzene in a solvent;
exposing said solution to anhydrous hydrogen chloride gas;
reacting 1,3,5-tri-tert-butylbenzene with a sulfonating agent to form 3,5-di-tert-butylbenzenesulfonic acid;
wherein said exposing of said solution to anhydrous hydrogen chloride gas is carried out before reacting said 1,3,5-tri-tert-butylbenzene with said sulfonating agent; and recovering said 3,5-di-tert-butylbenzenesulfonic acid.
2 . The process of claim 1 wherein said solvent is selected to provide solubility for the amount of 1,3,5-tri-tert-butyl benzene used.
3 . The process of claim 1 wherein said solvent is selected to provide solubility for the amounts of 1,3,5-tri-tert-butyl benzene and said sulfonating agent used.
4 . The process of claim 1 wherein said solvent is selected to provide that 3,5-di-tert-butylbenzenesulfonic acid is substantially insoluble in said solvent.
5 . The process of claim 4 wherein said 3,5-di-tert-butylbenzenesulfonic acid is recovered by filtration.
6 . The process of claim 1 wherein said solvent is an organic solvent.
7 . The process of claim 6 wherein said organic solvent is dichloromethane.
8 . The process of claim 1 wherein said sulfonating agent is chlorosulfonic acid or sulfur trioxide.
9 . The process of claim 1 wherein said exposing said solution to anhydrous hydrogen chloride gas and said reacting said 1,3,5-tri-tert-butyl benzene with a sulfonating agent is carried out at a temperature in the range of about −50° C. to about 10° C.
10 . The process of claim 1 wherein said exposing said solution to anhydrous hydrogen chloride gas is carried out under pressure.
11 . The process of claim 1 wherein said exposing said solution to anhydrous hydrogen chloride gas is carried out to substantially saturate said solution with anhydrous hydrogen chloride.
12 . The process of claim 1 wherein said exposing said solution to anhydrous hydrogen chloride gas is carried out by injecting said anhydrous hydrogen chloride gas into said solution.