ABSTRACT
The separation of unsaturates via copper complexing is based on fact that cuprous salts can form loose chemical bonds with a large variety of olefins, diolefins, acetylenes, and carbon monoxide. The reaction of copper salts with unsaturated hydrocarbons has been known for a long time. The first solid complex of a hydrocarbon with cuprous chloride was reported by Chavastelon in 1898 for acetylene. The major differences between highly active cuprous chloride and prior art cuprous chloride are high pore volume of active cuprous chloride and its unusual pore size distribution. The complexing reaction rate and capacity of cuprous chloride for unsaturates are largely controlled by partial condensation of gaseous feed in the small pores of the porous cuprous chloride particles. The large pore volume provides the necessary space for the solid cuprous chloride phase to swell as it is converted into the complex. A large number of preparations of complexes of various ligands with cuprous chloride have been made.
