Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out chemical reactions is provided. The apparatus comprises a first reactor/reaction zone for carrying out a first chemical reaction and a second reactor/reaction zone for carrying out a second chemical reaction. Each reactor/reaction zone comprises: a) an inner surface and an outer surface which are spaced apart from each other to define a reaction volume configured such that, in use, a respective chemical reaction takes place in the reaction volume, and wherein the inner surface and outer surface are configured for relative rotation with respect to each other, (b) an inlet for introduction of a reagent to the reaction volume, and (b) an outlet through which a reaction product can leave the reaction volume. The reaction products of the first reactor/reaction zone comprise reagents of the second reactor/reaction zone.

Abstract: A method of extracting (meth)acrylic acid from an aqueous reaction medium into an organic phase in contact therewith is described. The aqueous reaction medium is formed from at least one base catalyst and at least one dicarboxylic acid selected from maleic, fumaric, malic, itaconic, citraconic, mesaconic, and citramalic acid or mixtures thereof in aqueous solution and contains the base catalyzed decarboxylation products of the base catalyzed reaction. The method includes either the addition of at least one of the said dicarboxylic acids and/or a pre-cursor thereof to the aqueous reaction medium to enhance the solvent extraction of the (meth)acrylic acid into the organic solvent or maintaining the level of base catalyst to dicarboxylic acid and/or pre-cursor at a sub-stoichiometric level during the extraction process. The method extends to a process of producing (meth)acrylic acid, its esters and polymers and copolymers thereof.

Abstract: A method of extracting (meth)acrylic acid from an aqueous reaction medium into an organic phase in contact therewith is described. The aqueous reaction medium is formed from at least one base catalyst and at least one dicarboxylic acid selected from maleic, fumaric, malic, itaconic, citraconic, mesaconic, and citramalic acid or mixtures thereof in aqueous solution and contains the base catalysed decarboxylation products of the base catalysed reaction. The method includes either the addition of at least one of the said dicarboxylic acids and/or a pre-cursor thereof to the aqueous reaction medium to enhance the solvent extraction of the (meth)acrylic acid into the organic solvent or maintaining the level of base catalyst to dicarboxylic acid and/or pre-cursor at a sub-stoichiometric level during the extraction process. The method extends to a process of producing (meth)acrylic acid, its esters and polymers and copolymers thereof.

Abstract: A process for the production of methacrylic acid is described. The process comprises the base catalysed decarboxylation of at least one or a mixture of dicarboxylic acids selected from itaconic, citraconic or mesaconic acid. The decarboxylation is carried out in the range greater than 240 and up to 275° C. to provide high selectivity. The methacrylic acid product may be esterified to produce an ester. A method of preparing polymers or copolymers of methacrylic acid or methacrylic acid esters using the process is also described. Optionally, the process may be preceded with a decarboxylation and, if necessary, a dehydration step on a source of pre-acid such as citric acid or isocitric acid.

Abstract: A method of extracting (meth)acrylic acid from an aqueous reaction medium into an organic phase in contact therewith is described. The aqueous reaction medium is formed from at least one base catalyst and at least one dicarboxylic acid selected from maleic, fumaric, malic, itaconic, citraconic, mesaconic, and citramalic acid or mixtures thereof in aqueous solution and contains the base catalysed decarboxylation products of the base catalysed reaction. The method includes either the addition of at least one of the said dicarboxylic acids and/or a pre-cursor thereof to the aqueous reaction medium to enhance the solvent extraction of the (meth)acrylic acid into the organic solvent or maintaining the level of base catalyst to dicarboxylic acid and/or pre-cursor at a sub-stoichiometric level during the extraction process. The method extends to a process of producing (meth)acrylic acid, its esters and polymers and copolymers thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to metal-organic frameworks and, in particular, a continuous flow process for synthesising a metal-organic framework comprising the steps of: providing a ligand and a metal salt which are suitable for forming a metal-organic framework, mixing the ligand and metal salt with a solvent to form a mixture, and providing the mixture at a temperature sufficient to cause the ligand and the metal salt to react to form a metal-organic framework. The invention also relates to a method for the treatment of a metal-organic framework to extract unreacted ligand from the metal organic framework, a method for synthesising a metal-organic framework using recycled unreacted ligand, and uses for metal-organic frameworks.

Abstract: A method of producing a compound of formula (i): wherein R=H or CH3 the method comprising exposing a source of a compound of formula (ii) to reaction conditions of temperature and pressure: formula (ii) wherein R is defined as above wherein, when R=CH3, the source of a compound of formula (ii) is exposed to reaction conditions of temperature and pressure while being in a liquid phase.

Abstract: A method for photo-oxidising an organic substrate to form an organic product is disclosed comprising: a) mixing oxygen, a supercritical fluid, a photocatalyst, a liquid fluorous solvent and an organic substrate to form a mixture; and b) irradiating the mixture to form an organic product. Also disclosed is a method for separating a photocatalyst from an organic product comprising the steps of: a) providing a mixture comprising a supercritical fluid; an organic product; a fluorous solvent; a photocatalyst; and optionally an organic substrate and optionally oxygen; wherein the organic product, fluorous solvent, photocatalyst and optional organic substrate and optional oxygen are dissolved in the supercritical fluid; and b) reducing the pressure of the mixture to a pressure below the critical pressure of the supercritical fluid in order to form a gaseous phase.

Abstract: A method of extracting (meth)acrylic acid from an aqueous reaction medium into an organic phase in contact therewith is described. The aqueous reaction medium is formed from at least one base catalyst and at least one dicarboxylic acid selected from maleic, fumaric, malic, itaconic, citraconic, mesaconic, and citramalic acid or mixtures thereof in aqueous solution and contains the base catalysed decarboxylation products of the base catalysed reaction. The method includes either the addition of at least one of the said dicarboxylic acids and/or a pre-cursor thereof to the aqueous reaction medium to enhance the solvent extraction of the (meth)acrylic acid into the organic solvent or maintaining the level of base catalyst to dicarboxylic acid and/or pre-cursor at a sub-stoichiometric level during the extraction process. The method extends to a process of producing (meth)acrylic acid, its esters and polymers and copolymers thereof.

Abstract: A process for the production of methacrylic acid is described. The process comprises the base catalysed decarboxylation of at least one or a mixture of dicarboxylic acids selected from itaconic, citraconic or mesaconic acid. The decarboxylation is carried out in the range greater than 240 and up to 275° C. to provide high selectivity. The methacrylic acid product may be esterified to produce an ester. A method of preparing polymers or copolymers of methacrylic acid or methacrylic acid esters using the process is also described. Optionally, the process may be preceded with a decarboxylation and, if necessary, a dehydration step on a source of pre-acid such as citric acid or isocitric acid.

Abstract: A method of producing a compound of formula (i): wherein R?H or CH3 the method comprising exposing a source of a compound of formula (ii) to reaction conditions of temperature and pressure: formula (ii) wherein R is defined as above wherein, when R?CH3, the source of a compound of formula (ii) is exposed to reaction conditions of temperature and pressure while being in a liquid phase.

Abstract: A process for the production of a heteroaromatic carboxylic acid comprising contacting in the presence of a catalyst, a precursor of said carboxylic acid with an oxidant, such contact being effected with said precursor and the oxidant in an aqueous solvent comprising water under supercritical conditions or near supercritical conditions close to the supercritical point.

Abstract: A process for the production of a heteroaromatic carboxylic acid comprising contacting in the presence of a catalyst, a precursor of said carboxylic acid with an oxidant, such contact being effected with said precursor and the oxidant in an aqueous solvent comprising water under supercritical conditions or near supercritical conditions close to the supercritical point.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a lactam from an amino alkane nitrile and/or its hydrolysis derivatives, comprising reacting a solution comprising at least about 5% by weight amino alkane nitrile in water at a temperature of greater than or equal to about 350° C. and at a pressure of greater than about 250 bar. Optionally, a dilute acid may be added as a catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the production of an aromatic carboxylic acid comprising contacting in the presence of a catalyst, within a continuous flow reactor, one or more precursors of the aromatic carboxylic acid with an oxidant, such contact being effected with said precursor(s) and the oxidant in an aqueous solvent comprising water under supercritical conditions or near supercritical conditions close to the supercritical point such that said one or more precursors, oxidant and aqueous solvent constitute a substantially single homogeneous phase in the reaction zone, wherein the contact of at least part of said precursor with said oxidant is contemporaneous with contact of said catalyst with at least part of said oxidant.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a lactam from an amino alkane nitrile and/or its hydrolysis derivatives, comprising reacting a solution comprising at least about 5% by weight amino alkane nitrile in water at a temperature of greater than or equal to about 350° C. and at a pressure of greater than about 250 bar. Optionally, a dilute acid may be added as a catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the production of an aromatic carboxylic acid comprising contacting in the presence of a catalyst, within a continuous flow reactor, one or more precursors of the aromatic carboxylic acid with an oxidant, such contact being effected with said precursor(s) and the oxidant in an aqueous solvent comprising water under supercritical conditions or near supercritical conditions close to the supercritical point such that said one or more precursors, oxidant and aqueous solvent constitute a substantially single homogeneous phase in the reaction zone, wherein the contact of at least part of said precursor with said oxidant is contemporaneous with contact of said catalyst with at least part of said oxidant.

Abstract: A gas or mixture of gases is produced by decomposition or chemical reaction of liquid precursor(s). The gas may be converted to a dense phase gas or supercritical fluid state which can be used as a medium for chemical reaction, chromatography, extraction or impregnation/modification. Changes in the gas composition may be made simply by modification of the metered flow rates or chemical composition of the liquid precursor(s).

Abstract: A process for the production of an aromatic carboxylic acid comprising contacting in the presence of a catalyst, within a continuous flow reactor, one or more precursors of the aromatic carboxylic acid with an oxidant, such contact being effected with said precursor(s) and the oxidant in an aqueous solvent comprising water under supercritical conditions or near supercritical conditions close to the supercritical point such that said one or more precursors, oxidant and aqueous solvent constitute a substantially single homogeneous phase in the reaction zone, wherein the contact of at least part of said precursor with said oxidant is contemporaneous with contact of said catalyst with at least part of said oxidant.

Abstract: Method of performing alkylation or acylation reactions of aromatic substrates under supercritical or near-critical reaction conditions. In particular, a method of performing Friedel-Crafts alkylation or acylation reactions is disclosed under those conditions. Friedel-Crafts reactions may be effected using a heterogeneous catalyst in a continuous flow reactor containing a super-critical or near-critical reaction medium. Selectivity of product formation can be achieved by varying one or more of the temperature, pressure, catalyst, flow rates and also by varying the ratios of aromatic substrate to acylating or alkylating agent.