METHYL ETHYL KETONE PRODUCTION PROCESS

FIELD: industrial organic synthesis. ^ SUBSTANCE: in presence of a process for production of methyl ethyl ketone widely applicable in petroleum processing and petrochemical industries at oil dewaxing and paraffin deoiling plants, in varnish-and-paint industry to produce polyurethane coatings, in wood processing industry to produce a variety of glues, in industrial rubber article industry, in perfumery, and in other areas. Process comprises 2-butanol/hydrogen peroxide reaction conducted at 20-100°C and butanol/peroxide molar ratio (1.0-13.0):1 on titanium silicate catalyst having MFI, MEL, or beta zeolite topology and containing 0.1 to 9.5% titanium, content of catalyst ranging from 0.01 to 20% based on the total weight of reaction medium. Thus formed methyl ethyl ketone is isolated from reaction medium via rectification in the form of azeotrope with water while unreacted 2-butanol with admixture of water is recycled to synthesis stage. Methyl ethyl ketone/water azeotrope is separated via extraction with organic solvent as extractant at extractant-to-azeotrope ratio (0.5-10):1 and number of extraction steps from 1 to 10. Extract is separated via rectification or distillation processes to recover commercial methyl ethyl ketone while returning extractant to separation stage. ^ EFFECT: increased yield of methyl ethyl ketone and reduced power consumption. ^ 2 cl, 1 tbl