To obtain ethanol and isopropanol simultaneously in a commercially useful yield by hydrating a mixture of ethylene and propylene in a vapor phase in the presence of a catalyst composition.
This method for hydrating olefins is to obtain ethanol and isopropanol simultaneously by hydrating a mixture of ethylene and propylene in a vapor phase in the presence of a catalyst composition containing a heteropolyacid catalyst supported on a silicic acid-based carrier at 140-270°C reaction temperature under a pressure of 1,000-9,000 KPa. The molar ratio of ethylene to propylene is 0.3-4.0 and the molar ratio of olefins to water is 0.2-1.5. GHSV-olefin/water mixture is 750-5,000, and HPA filled amount (g/litter) (on the silica) is 50-200. The silicic acid-based carrier has a shape of a gel, an extruded material, or the like, and preferably obtained as a natural product or by a synthesis. The silica is preferably a synthetic silica obtained by a flame hydrolysis of silicon tetrachloride.
SMITH MARK R
TURNER MALCOLM JOHN
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