PURPOSE:To obtain a chloromethane with a high reaction rate of chlorine and increased selectivity for the chloromethane, by carrying out the partial chlorination of methane or the photochlorination of chlorine in the vapor phase in the presence of the liquid phase. CONSTITUTION:Methane or partially chlorinated methane is reacted with chlorine in a photochlorinating ractor to give a chloromethane. In the process, the reaction is carried out in the presence of the liquid phase. The condensate of a reaction mixture from the photochlorinating reactor is partially circulated for use advantageously as the coexisting liquid phase. More preferably, the uncondensed gas containing HCl formed as a by-product as a principal component from the reactor is circulated through the reactor for use, and the gas-liquid contact efficiency in the reactor is increased to remove the heat of reaction more efficiently. The amount of the liquid phase present in the reactor is preferably in the range of 0.02-0.20mol based on 1mol total amount of the gaseous and liquid phases.
展开▼
