PROCESS FOR THE CONTINUOUS PREPARATION OF TRIMETHYLOL-ALKANE ALLYL ETHERS

1473024 Trimethylolalkane ethers BAYER AG 5 Aug 1975 [6 Aug 1974] 32690/75 Heading C2C Allyl ethers of the formula where X is 0 or 1 and n is 1, 2, or 3, are produced by the continuous etherification of a trimethylolalkane with allyl chloride under an inert atmosphere in the presence of an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution; the method comprises initially introducing the ether to be produced into at least two reaction chambers arranged in series, and introducing continuously, whilst stirring, the trimethylolalkane, 1À05-1À3 moles sodium hydroxide in a 40-50% aqueous solution and 1À0-1À2 moles of allyl chloride per mole of hydroxyl group to be etherified, to produce such concentrations that sodium salts of the trimethylolalkane do not precipitate, keeping the system at 80-130‹ C., and introducing continuously 0À5-1À7 parts by weight toluene relative to 1 part by weight of the sodium hydroxide, whilst azeotropically distilling off the water, to give a conversion of trimethylolalkane exceeding 99%. The process may be carried out in a stirred kettle cascade, the starting materials being fed to the first reaction chamber; part of the allyl chloride may be fed to the second chamber. The products may be used for the preparation of air-drying synthetic resins.