Process For Preparing 1,3-Dibromoacetone, 1-3-Dichloroacetone and Epichlorohydrin

A process for preparing 1,3-dibromoacetone, 1-3-dichloroacetone and epichlorohydrin which comprises: (a) reacting acetone with 2 moles of bromine to make a mixture of brominated acetone derivatives and byproduct hydrogen bromide; (b) equilibrating the mixture of brominated acetone derivatives and hydrogen bromide to produce 1,3-dibromoacetone as the major product; (c) crystallizing the 1,3-dibromoacetone; and (d) isolating the 1,3-dibromoacetone. The process may further include the steps of (e) reacting the 1,3-dibromoacetone with a chloride source to produce 1,3-dichloroacetone; (f) hydrogenating the isolated 1,3-dichloroacetone to produce 1,3-dichlorohydrin; and (g) cyclizing the 1,3-dichlorohydrin with a base to produce epichlorohydrin.