Some Observations on a Continuous Telomerization Reaction

Abstract

Radical telomerization reaction of ethylene and carbon tetrachloride was continuously carried out by flowing both reagents cocurrently through a vertical U-shaped reactor at pressures of 80-200kg/cm², temperatures of 90-104°C and molar flow ratios (C₂H₄/CCl₄) of 1.66-6.86 in the presence of azobisisobutyronitrile as the initiator. Under the said conditions of reaction, conversion of carbon tetrachloride was dependent on the residence time of the reacting mixture in the reactor. The composition of telomer produced, however, was kept constant irrespective of the conversion of carbon tetrachloride and residence time of the reacting mixture under a given temperature, pressure, and flow ratio of ethylene to carbon tetrachloride. With increase of the molar ratio of ethylene to carbon tetrachloride, the composition of the telomer mixture changed similarly as in a batch telomerization process, showing a gradual decrease in the content of the lower telomer homologs. Under a given molar ratio of ethylene to carbon tetrachloride, the pressure of the reaction exerted a considerable influence upon the composition of the telomer mixture, which has not been detected clearly in a batch process.