AN ELECTROMEMBRANE PROCESS FOR DIBROMOPROPANOL EPOXIDATION

In this paper, an electro-membrane process has been described which al lows to perform cyclodehydrohalogenation of dibromopropanols into epib romhydrin at room temperature. Epoxidation occurs in the stack fitted with ion exchange membranes when a constant direct current is applied on end electrodes. Hydroxyl ions are continuously fed into the reactin g cell as bromide ions a reextracted, and it is not necessary with suc h a membrane reactor, to use a down-stream purification of the epibrom hydrin produced. The mass yield in the,reacting cell was 70+/-5%, due to diffusion of reactants and/or products through the membranes used.