Process for the production of 2-ethyl-hexanol

US4684750A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Ruhrchemie Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Gunther Kessen · Oberhausen, DE
• Boy Cornils · Dinslaken, DE
• Wilhelm Gick · Duisburg, DE
• Ernst Wiebus · Oberhausen, DE
• Joseph Hibbel · Oberhausen, DE
• Hanswilhelm Bach · Oberhausen, DE
• Wolfgang Zgorzelski · Oberhausen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 26, 1986
• Grant date: Aug 4, 1987
• Expiry date: Aug 26, 2006

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C45/82
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for the production of 2-ethyl-hexanol comprising reacting propene with carbon monoxide and hydrogen, in the presence of an aqueous catalyst containing rhodium and at least one sulfonated triarylphosphine, to form an aqueous phase and an organic phase, said organic phase comprising a mixture of materials having boiling points lower than that of n-butanal and substances having boiling points equal to or higher than that of n-butanal, said materials including i-butanal, separating said material from said substances, subjecting said substances to aldol condensation, in the presence of aqueous alkali, to form 2-ethyl hexenal, first hydrogenating said 2-ethyl-hexenal in a gas phase in the presence of a first hydrogenation catalyst and thereafter hydrogenating said 2-ethyl-hexenal in a liquid phase to form 2-ethyl-hexanol in the presence of a second hydrogenation catalyst.