Preparation of Trimethylolpropane in a Microreactor
1. Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China;
2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Abstract：In order to improve the time-consuming and low yield problems in the batch reactors for the synthesis of trimethylolpropane (TMP), the continuous and efficient synthesis of TMP using the Cannizzaro disproportionation process in a microreactor was studied. The effects of process parameters such as residence time, reaction temperature, the molar ratio of sodium hydroxide to n-butanal (M-ratioSB), the molar ratio of formaldehyde to n-butanal (M-ratioFB), and n-butanal concentration on the yield of TMP were investigated. The optimal parameters were determined as follows: sodium hydroxide as catalyst, reaction temperature 55 ℃, n-butanal concentration 2.0 mol/L, M-ratioFB 5.0, M-ratioSB 1.0 and residence time 500 s, 85.9% yield of TMP can be obtained under these optimal conditions, which has a good industrial application prospect.
