GB459079A - A process for the production of alkyl ester salts - Google Patents

Abstract

Absorption products of liquid olefines obtained by cracking or dehydrogenating hydrocarbons, in strong inorganic oxygen containing polybasic acids are treated with an aqueous solution of an alkaline reacting substance at elevated temperature whereby the acid alkylsulphates are neutralized and the neutral sulphates are also converted into salts of acid alkylsulphates. Polymerized substances present may be separated after the addition of the alkaline solution but before the decomposition of the neutral sulphates, or the neutralization and decomposition may be effected in one step. In an example, free sulphuric acid is separated as a concentrated solution from a product obtained by the absorption, in sulphuric acid, of a benzine resulting from the vapour phase cracking of paraffin cakes. The remaining solution is neutralized with caustic soda and a further quantity of caustic soda added sufficient to decompose the neutral sulphates. On heating, an upper layer of polymerization products and alcohols is formed which is removed. Sodium alkyl sulphates are recovered from the lower layer by evaporation in vacuo. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 comprises also the treatment of any neutral alkyl ester with alkaline agents to obtain the corresponding alkyl ester salts. The neutral alkyl esters may be prepared from naturally occurring olefines and olefines derived from coal, peat, shale oil, or animal or vegetable oils, fats and waxes by any pyrogenatic treatment. Besides sulphuric acid, pyrosulphuric, phosphoric and pyrophosphoric acid may be used for the esterification. Sodium hydrate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium hypochlorite and sodium acetate may be used for the treatment of the neutral alkyl esters to effect decomposition and the pyridine, quinoline, copper and lead salts of the acid esters are mentioned. The ester salts may be extracted by means of alcohol or ether from the crude products obtained by evaporation after the decomposition process. The mixed neutral acid esters may also be extracted after the removal of free inorganic acid by means of benzene, gasoline, pentane or hexane. The use of amyl alcohol to facilitate the separation of free inorganic acid is referred to. The products may be used in the textile industry as wetting and levelling agents and also as flotation agents and spray oils. Their use for preparing finely divided pigments and for greasing leather is referred to. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.