Hydrogenation catalysts for the preparation of propanediols

US4386018A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

• Franz Merger · Bischofswerda, DE
• Ernest Miesen · Ludwigshafen, DE
• Franz J. Broecker
• Wolfgang Schroeder · Aachen, DE
• Karl Baer · Weinheim, DE
• Juergen Paetsch · Monsheim, DE
• Leopold Hupfer · Friedelsheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 6, 1981
• Grant date: May 31, 1983
• Expiry date: Jul 6, 2001

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C29/141
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Hydrogenation catalysts, which have a specific surface area of from 50 to 150 square meters per gram, solely or partially contain crystals having a spinel structure and copper in the form of copper oxide, and have been obtained by precipitating copper and aluminum in a ratio of from 0.25 to 3 atoms of copper per atom of aluminum from their compounds in the presence of a carbonate at a pH of from 4.5 to 9 and calcining the resulting precipitate at from 300.degree. to 800.degree. C., for the catalytic preparation of propanediols by hydrogenating hydroxypropionaldehydes at not more than 300 bar pressure and from 50.degree. to 200.degree. C., and processes for the preparation of propanediols by the use of such catalysts. The propanediols obtainable by the process of the invention, in particular 2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diol, are valuable starting materials for the preparation of lubricants, plastics, surface coatings and synthetic resins, for example corresponding polyesters.