Continuous method for the production of 1,2-diols

US4762954A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Degussa AG · DE

Inventors

• Rainer Siegmeier · Frankfurt am Main, DE
• Gunther Prescher · Hanau, DE
• Helmut Maurer · Rodenbach, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 7, 1987
• Grant date: Aug 9, 1988
• Expiry date: Aug 7, 2007

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C29/106
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The continuous production of 1,2-diols by means of saponification of aliphatic, linear or branched epoxides with 8-30 carbon atoms or high molecular weight cycloaliphatic epoxides with water and acidic catalyst at pressures of 1-5 bar using a vapor-liquid mixture of a solubilizing agent which is stationary in a column. The yields obtained are high and exhibit a high degree of purity. The water added can be recycled as such.