Oxidation of propylene with thallium salts - with reaction soln made basic before removal of propylene oxide to reduce acetone formn

摘要

Propylene (I) is oxidised to a mixt. of propylene oxide (II) and propane-1,2-diol (III) (opt. as its ester) by reacting (I) with an aq. acid soln. of a Tl3+ cpd. at low temp. and pH =6, pref. 1-5, then adjusting pH to =7, pref. 9, and heating the mixt. to rapidly remove (II). The Tl3+ cpds. are esp. salts of 1-4C aliphatic menocarboxylic acids, specif. the formate, acetate, propionate or butyrate and the corresp. acid may be present during the first stage. Formation of acetone and hydrolysis of (IIe are minimised.