Inventors:
Robert P. Allen - Longview TX
Hugh J. Hagemeyer - Longview TX
Assignee:
Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY
International Classification:
C07D30512
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of 2,2-disubstituted propiolactones via the pyrolysis of methylene diisoalkylate in the vapor phase over a fixed bed catalyst system. The reaction of the invention is as follows: ##SPC1##
Wherein R is alkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R. sup. 1 is alkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or phenyl. The catalyst comprises an oxide of a metal selected from the group Ag, U, Zn, Ti, Zr, Th, Ta, Nb, Mo, W, and Sn on a suitable support. A preferred catalyst is the metal oxide-silica gel complex which results from heating the calcined residue of a salt of a metal selected from the group consisting of Ta, Ti, Nb and Zr supported upon a silica gel in the presence of nitrogen and steam at a temperature of from about 650. degree. C. to about 1000. degree. C. The process is operable at temperatures from about 240. degree. C.