Processes for preparing organic compounds having improved color characteristics

Abstract

Carboxylic acids, ketones, and esters having improved color characteristics are produced by combining small quantities of water with these compounds. An amount of water ranging from about 100 ppm to about 50,000 ppm of the organic compound is combined to provide lighter color compounds in comparison to these same compounds to which no water is added. Additionally, the color characteristics of the organic compounds may be improved by introducing a stream of the organic compound into at least one distillation column maintained at a temperature of about 23° C. to about 250° C. and at a pressure of about 10.1 kPa to about 202.6 kPa. Subjecting the organic compound stream to distillation under these conditions allows precursors of color bodies, having boiling points lower than the boiling point of the product being produced, to thermally breakdown or to be removed in the overhead stream form the distillation column.

1 . A process for preparation of an organic compound, having a stable APHA color value of 15, or less selected from the group consisting of C 1  to C 6  carboxylic acids, ketones having boiling points from 154° C. to 170° C., and esters having boiling points from about 168° C. to about 250° C., comprising removing a product stream comprising the organic compound from a reaction zone in which the organic compound is prepared and introducing the product stream into a distillation column having a lower portion and an upper portion wherein the upper portion and the lower portion are maintained at a temperature of about 23° C. to about 250° C. and at a pressure of about 101 kPa to about 202.6 kPa. 
   
   
       2 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the organic compound is a C 1  to C 6  carboxylic acid. 
   
   
       3 . The process of  claim 2  wherein the carboxylic acid is butyric acid. 
   
   
       4 . The process of  claim 3  wherein the distillation column is operated at a temperature of about 170° C. to about 180° C. and at a pressure of about 101 kPa to about 202 kPa.