US 6,982,356 B2
Method for preparation of para-brominated hydroxyaromatic compounds
Eric James Pressman, East Greenbush, N.Y. (US); Jonathan Lloyd Male, Schoharie, N.Y. (US); Ryan Christopher Mills, Mechanicville, N.Y. (US); and John Yaw Ofori, Niskayuna, N.Y. (US)
Assigned to General Electric Company, Niskayuna, N.Y. (US)
Filed on Sep. 17, 2003, as Appl. No. 10/664,093.
Prior Publication US 2005/0059843 A1, Mar. 17, 2005
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. C07C 39/24 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 568—779 27 Claims
 
1. A method for recovering a metal catalyst for reuse, wherein said metal catalyst is selected from the group consisting of elemental copper, copper compounds, and one or more compounds or complexes of Group IV-VIII transition metals of the Periodic Table of Elements, wherein said method comprises:
(a) providing a reaction product mixture by contacting a hydroxyaromatic compound with oxygen and a bromine compound selected from the group of hydrogen bromide, elemental bromine, ionic bromide salts, and mixtures thereof, in an acidic medium and in the presence of said metal catalyst; and
(b) removing a portion of said reaction product mixture without removing said metal catalyst,
wherein said reaction product mixture comprises an organic phase and an aqueous phase, said aqueous phase comprising said metal catalyst, and wherein said portion of said product mixture being removed in step (b) is said organic phase.