| abstract |
A process for producing sulfolane compounds is provided which comprises: (1) contacting a conjugated diene with sulfur dioxide under conditions sufficient to synthesize a sulfolene compound whereby a mixture of the sulfolene compound and impurities comprising unreacted sulfur dioxide is produced; (2) transferring the mixture, at a temperature in the range of about 55° C. to about 85° C., to an impurities removal reactor containing a solvent; (3) removing the impurities under an elevated pressure to produce an impurities-reduced sulfolene compound; (4) transferring the impurities-reduced sulfolene compound to a hydrogenation reactor; (5) contacting said impurities-reduced sulfolene compound with hydrogen, in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, under conditions sufficient to produce a sulfolane compound; and (6) optionally recovering said sulfolane compound. |