Toluene purification

During World War II, an improved process was developed for producing petroleum naphthas ensuring unlimited quantities of toluene. Purification techniques were improved for TNT. Composites mixtures of TNT-PETN, TNT-RDX, TNT-tetryl, TNT-ammonium picrate, TNT aluminium, etc., were prepared. 

Example 2 Initial Acetonitrile Extraction Followed by Aqueous Acetonitrile-Toluene Purification... 

The mechanism for purification of recovered solvent depends on the nature of the material collected and the purity required. Where steam is used with water-immiscible solvents (e.g. toluene), purification can be done by simple decantation, but for water-soluble solvents, distillation is needed. Where water forms an azeotrope with the solvent (e.g. ethyl acetate) further complexity and cost is added to separate the mixture. With nitrogen desorption, purification can be simpler, but with mixed solvents which form azeotropes (e.g. ethyl acetate and ethanol) separation is still very difficult and costly. In this case, the cost of equipment needed to distil and purify the solvent can be higher than that for the recovery unit. 

The crude product was per-O-acetylated by stirring in a mixture of acetic anhydride and pyridine (1 2,9 ml) for 6 h before being concentrated and co-concentrated with toluene. Purification of the residue by flash column chromatography on SiOj (CHCla/MeOH, 30 1 10 1) was followed by... 

A solution of 6-bromoindole (O.lOmol) in toluene (200 ml) was treated with Pd(PPh3)4 (5mol%) and stirred for 30 min. A solution of 4-fluorophenyl-boronic acid (0.25 M, 0.15 mol) in abs. EtOH was added, followed immediately by sal aq. NaHCOj (10 eq.). The biphasic mixture was refluxed for several hours and then cooled to room temperature. The reaction mixture was poured into sat. aq. NaCl (200 ml) and the layers separated. The aq. layer was extracted with additional EtOAc (200 ml) and the combined organic layers dried (Na2S04), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The solution was filtered through silica gel using hexane-CHjCl -hexanc for elution and evaporated. Final purification by recrystallization gave the product (19 g, 90%). 

Caprolactam Extraction. A high degree of purification is necessary for fiber-grade caprolactam, the monomer for nylon-6 (see Polyamides). Cmde aqueous caprolactam is purified by solvent extractions using aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene as the solvent (233). Many of the well-known types of column contactors have been used a detailed description of the process is available (234). 

Ammonium lactate [34302-65-3] ia coaceatrated aqueous solutioas has beea coaverted to ammonia and the ester by alcoholysis at temperatures ranging from 100—200°C usiag a variety of alcohols and water entrainers, such as toluene. Ester yields ranging from 50—80% were obtained. This method has also been suggested as a recovery and purification method from impure solutions of lactate (29). However, a considerable amount of the lactate is not converted to the recoverable ester and is lost as lactamide (6). 

Methylphenol. y -Cresol is produced synthetically from toluene. Toluene is chlorinated and the resulting chlorotoluene is hydrolyzed to a mixture of methylphenols. Purification by distillation gives a mixture of 3-methylphenol and 4-methylphenol since they have nearly identical boiling points. Reaction of this mixture with isobutylene under acid catalysis forms 2,6-di-/ f2 -butyl-4-methylphenol and 2,4-di-/ f2 -butyl-5-methylphenol, which can then be separated by fractional distillation and debutylated to give the corresponding 3- and 4-methylphenols. A mixture of 3- and 4-methylphenols is also derived from petroleum cmde and coal tars. 

The most recent, and probably most elegant, process for the asymmetric synthesis of (+)-estrone appHes a tandem Claisen rearrangement and intramolecular ene-reaction (Eig. 23). StereochemicaHy pure (185) is synthesized from (2R)-l,2-0-isopropyhdene-3-butanone in an overall yield of 86% in four chemical steps. Heating a toluene solution of (185), enol ether (187), and 2,6-dimethylphenol to 180°C in a sealed tube for 60 h produces (190) in 76% yield after purification. Ozonolysis of (190) followed by base-catalyzed epimerization of the C8a-hydrogen to a C8P-hydrogen (again similar to conversion of (175) to (176)) produces (184) in 46% yield from (190). Aldehyde (184) was converted to 9,11-dehydroestrone methyl ether (177) as discussed above. The overall yield of 9,11-dehydroestrone methyl ether (177) was 17% in five steps from 6-methoxy-l-tetralone (186) and (185) (201). 

Fig. 5. Purification of styrene in the dehydrogenation reactor effluent in the FinaBadger styrene process A, ben2ene—toluene column B, ethylbenzene recycle column C, styrene finishing column and D, residue finishing. Courtesy of The Badger Company, Inc.

The basic process usually consists of a large reaction vessel in which air is bubbled through pressuri2ed hot Hquid toluene containing a soluble cobalt catalyst as well as the reaction products, a system to recover hydrocarbons from the reactor vent gases, and a purification system for the ben2oic acid product. 

The recovery and purification of ben2oic acid from a Hquid-phase toluene oxidi2er may involve distillation alone or it may involve a combination of distillation foUowed by extraction and crysta11i2ation. 

Hydroquinone may also be used in place of 4-chloroplienol. In this case an aluminum chloride—sodium chloride melt is usually employed. However, the yield is not satisfactory (43). It has also been reported that the reaction of hydroquinone with substantially stoichiometric phthaUc acid dichloride in the presence of anhydrous aluminum chloride in moderately polar solvents, such as nitrobenzene at around 100°C gives quinizarin (44). The reported yield is 65% after purification by crystallization from toluene. 

To a 3QQ-mL, round-bottomed flask fitted with a water separator, (Note 1) which contains 15 g of Linde 4A molecular sieve l/16-1nch pellets and Is filled with toluene, are added 7.3 g (0.04 mol) of cyclododecanone, 11.4 g (0.16 mol) of pyrrolidine, 100 mL of toluene, and 0.57 g (0.004 mol) of boron trifluoride etherate. The solution is heated under reflux for 20 hr. The water separator is replaced by a distillation head, and about 90 mL of the toluene is removed by distillation at atmospheric pressure. The residue containing l-(N-pyrrolidino)-l-cyclododecene (1) is used in the next step without further purification (Note 2). 

Acids that are solids can be purified in this way, except that distillation is replaced by repeated crystallisation (preferable from at least two different solvents such as water, alcohol or aqueous alcohol, toluene, toluene/petroleum ether or acetic acid.) Water-insoluble acids can be partially purified by dissolution in N sodium hydroxide solution and precipitation with dilute mineral acid. If the acid is required to be free from sodium ions, then it is better to dissolve the acid in hot N ammonia, heat to ca 80°, adding slightly more than an equal volume of N formic acid and allowing to cool slowly for crystallisation. Any ammonia, formic acid or ammonium formate that adhere to the acid are removed when the acid is dried in a vacuum — they are volatile. The separation and purification of naturally occurring fatty acids, based on distillation, salt solubility and low temperature crystallisation, are described by K.S.Markley (Ed.), Fatty Acids, 2nd Edn, part 3, Chap. 20, Interscience, New York, 1964. 

Common impurities found in aldehydes are the corresponding alcohols, aldols and water from selfcondensation, and the corresponding acids formed by autoxidation. Acids can be removed by shaking with aqueous 10% sodium bicarbonate solution. The organic liquid is then washed with water. It is dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate or magnesium sulfate and then fractionally distilled. Water soluble aldehydes must be dissolved in a suitable solvent such as diethyl ether before being washed in this way. Further purification can be effected via the bisulfite derivative (see pp. 57 and 59) or the Schiff base formed with aniline or benzidine. Solid aldehydes can be dissolved in diethyl ether and purified as above. Alternatively, they can be steam distilled, then sublimed and crystallised from toluene or petroleum ether. 

Amides are stable compounds. The lower-melting members (such as acetamide) can be readily purified by fractional distillation. Most amides are solids which have low solubilities in water. They can be recrystallised from large quantities of water, ethanol, ethanol/ether, aqueous ethanol, chloroform/toluene, chloroform or acetic acid. The likely impurities are the parent acids or the alkyl esters from which they have been made. The former can be removed by thorough washing with aqueous ammonia followed by recrystallisation, whereas elimination of the latter is by trituration or recrystallisation from an organic solvent. Amides can be freed from solvent or water by drying below their melting points. These purifications can also be used for sulfonamides and acid hydrazides. 

Because phenols are weak acids, they can be freed from neutral impurities by dissolution in aqueous N sodium hydroxide and extraction with a solvent such as diethyl ether, or by steam distillation to remove the non-acidic material. The phenol is recovered by acidification of the aqueous phase with 2N sulfuric acid, and either extracted with ether or steam distilled. In the second case the phenol is extracted from the steam distillate after saturating it with sodium chloride (salting out). A solvent is necessary when large quantities of liquid phenols are purified. The phenol is fractionated by distillation under reduced pressure, preferably in an atmosphere of nitrogen to minimise oxidation. Solid phenols can be crystallised from toluene, petroleum ether or a mixture of these solvents, and can be sublimed under vacuum. Purification can also be effected by fractional crystallisation or zone refining. For further purification of phenols via their acetyl or benzoyl derivatives (vide supra). 

Benzene, which has been used as a solvent successfully and extensively in the past for reactions and purification by chromatography and crystallisation is now considered a very dangerous substance so it hasto be used with extreme care. We emphasise that an alternative solvent system to benzene (e.g. toluene, toluene-petroleum ether, or a petroleum ether to name a few) should be used first. However, if no other solvent system can be found then all operations involving benzene have to be performed in an efficient fumehood and precautions must be taken to avoid inhalation and contact with skin and eyes. Whenever benzene is mentioned in the text an asterisk e.g. C Hg or benzene, is inserted to remind the user that special precaution should be adopted. 

Has been purified by co-distillation with ethylene glycol (boils at 197.5°), from which it can be recovered by additn of water, followed by crysm from 95% EtOH, benzene, toluene, a mixture of benzene/xylene (4 1), or EtjO. It has also been chromatographed on alumina with pet ether in a dark room (to avoid photo-oxidation of adsorbed anthracene to anthraquinone). Other purification methods include sublimation in a N2 atmosphere (in some cases after refluxing with sodium), and recrystd from toluene [Gorman et al. J Am Chem Soc 107 4404 1985]. 

Purification of C q from a C(,q/C-,q mixture was achieved by dissolving in an aqueous soln of y (but not p) cyclodextrin (0.02M) upon refluxing. The rate of dissolution (as can be followed by UV spectra) is quite slow and constant up to lO M of C o- The highest concn of C o in H2O obtained was 8 x 10 M and a 2 y-cyclodextrin C q clathrate is obtained. C ) is extracted from this aqueous soln by toluene and C oof >99 purity is obtained by evaporation. With excess of y-cyclodextrin more C g dissolves and the complex precipitates. The ppte is insol in cold H2O but sol in boiling H2O to give a yellow soln. [J Chem Soc, Chem Commun 604 7922.]... 

Naphthol [135-19-3] M 144.2, m 122.5-123.5°, pK 9.57. Crystd from aqueous 25% EtOH (charcoal), water, benzene, toluene or CCI4, e.g. by repeated extraction with small amounts of EtOH, followed by dissolution in a minimum amount of EtOH and pptn with distilled water, then drying over P2O5 under vacuum. Has also been dissolved in aqueous NaOH, and ppted by adding acid (repeated several times), then ppted from benzene by addition of heptane. Final purification can be by zone melting or sublimation in vacuo. [Bardez et al. J Phys Chem 89 5031 7955 Kikuchi et al. J Phys Chem 91 574 1987.]... 

Phenylenediamine [95-54-5] M 108.1, m 100-101 , pK O.67 (aq H2SO4), pKj 4.47 (4.85). Crystd from aqueous 1% sodium hydrosulfite (charcoal), washed with ice-water and dried in a vacuum desiccator, or sublimed in vacuo. It has been purified by recrystn from toluene and zone refined [Anson et al. J Am Chem Soc 108 6593 1986]. Purification by refluxing a CH2CI2 solution containing charcoal was also carried out followed by evaporation and recrystn [Koola and Kochi J Org Chem 52 4545 1987], protect from light. 

Rapid purification Alumina, CaH2 and 4A molecular sieves (3% w/v) may be used to dry toluene (6h stirring and standing). Then the toluene is distd, discarding the first 5% of distillate, and is stored over molecular sieves (3A, 4A) or Na wire. 

The general purification methods listed for xylene are applicable. p-Xylene can readily be separated from its isomers by crystn from such solvents as MeOH, EtOH, isopropanol, acetone, butanone, toluene, pentane or pentene. It can be further purified by fractional crystn by partial freezing, and stored over sodium wire or molecular sieves Linde type 4A. [Stokes and French J Chem Soc, Faraday Trans 1 76 537 1980.]... 

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