GB652740A - Process for the preparation of vinyl chloride - Google Patents

Abstract

Vinyl chloride is obtained by conducting acetylene and gaseous hydrogen chloride at a temperature of 95-105 DEG C. over a catalyst containing mercuric chloride and an oxide of a metal of the fourth group of the periodic system which is stable in the presence of hydrogen chloride at the reaction temperature. The term metal of the fourth group of the periodic system does not include silicon. Specified catalysts are mercuric chloride and titanium oxide or thorium oxide. The catalyst may comprise a granulated porous material first impregnated with a solution of mercuric chloride and then coated with the oxide, e.g. in a finely-pulverized form, thus pellets or granules of the impregnated porous material may be dusted with the finely-pulverized oxide. The granulated porous material may be impregnated with mercuric chloride from its solution in water or in an organic solvent. In an example, a methanol solution of mercuric chloride is absorbed into dry activated carbon and the mass agitated with finely-powdered thorium oxide or titanium oxide. The catalyst is then heated to 100 DEG to 105 DEG C. in the synthesis apparatus and acetylene and gaseous hydrogen chloride introduced, vinyl chloride being produced.ALSO:A catalyst used for the production of vinyl chloride from acetylene and hydrogen chloride (see Group IV (b)) comprises mercuric chloride and an oxide of a metal of the fourth group of the periodic system (excluding silicon). The catalyst may be prepared by impregnating porous material, which may be in the form of pellets or granules, with mercuric chloride and then applying the oxide, e.g. by dusting the impregnated material with the finely pulverized oxide. The impregnation with mercuric chloride may be effected by using the latter in aqueous solution or in solution in an organic solvent. In an example, a methanol solution containing mercuric chloride is absorbed into dry p activated carbon and the mass agitated with finely powdered thorium or titanium oxide, the catalyst being then placed in the vinyl chloride synthesiser and heated to 100-105 DEG C. before use.