Preparation of 1,4-butanediol

US5073650A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

• Uwe Stabel · Otterstadt, DE
• Hans-Juergen Gosch · Bad Dürkheim, DE
• Rolf Fischer · Heidelberg, DE
• Wolfgang Harder · Weinheim, DE
• Claus Hechler · Mannheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 20, 1991
• Grant date: Dec 17, 1991
• Expiry date: Mar 20, 2011

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C29/177
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for the preparation of 1,4-butanediol by catalytically hydrogenating maleic anhydride in the presence of an alcohol, at elevated temperature and elevated pressure and with the aid of a cobalt-containing catalyst comprises partially hydrogenating the reaction mixture in a first hydrogenation step at from 100.degree. to 200.degree. C. and at from 30 to 200 bar and subsequently post-hydrogenating the product of this first hydrogenation step, without further work-up at higher temperature and pressure than in the first hydrogenation step, in a second hydrogenation step at from 200.degree. to 300.degree. C. and at from 200 to 350 bar.