Phosphite-promoted ruthenium-cobalt catalysts for the dealkoxyhydroxymethylation of acetals to form glycol ethers
US4692426A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 29, 1986 |
| Grant date | Sep 8, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 29, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01J2531/845
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Ruthenium-cobalt carbonyl catalysts which have been promoted with an organophosphite effectively catalyze the dealkoxyhydroxymethylation of aldehyde acetals to form glycol monoethers. Methylal, for example, may be reacted with syngas, i.e., CO and H.sub.2, in the presence of this phosphite-promoted ruthenium carbonyl cobalt catalyst to form the monomethyl ether of ethylene glycol. In a like manner acetaldehyde may be converted to the corresponding propylene glycol monoether. The process may advantageously be carried out with high yields and selectivities in the presence of a polar or non-polar organic solvent in combination with the catalyst system of this invention. The invention is also directed to certain of the organophosphite-promoted cobalt and ruthenium-cobalt carbonyl catalyst systems per se.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.