Process for the production of 3-hydroxyalkanals

US5276201A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Degussa AG · DE

Inventors

• Thomas Haas · Munster, DE
• Dietrich Arntz · Oberursel, DE
• Reinhold Brand · Hanau, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 24, 1992
• Grant date: Jan 4, 1994
• Expiry date: Nov 24, 2012

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C45/64
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for the production of 3-hydroxyalkanals, more particularly 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde, by hydration of the basic 2-alkenals, more particularly acrolein, in the presence of a solid catalyst containing acid functional groups. The catalysts are based on an inorganic support containing basic activity centers (which are at least partly occupied by a polybasic acid, of which the first pK.sub.s value is between 0 and 3, in a form in which it cannot be removed by water) enables the hydration to be carried out with high selectivity. At the same time, the disadvantages of known organic fixed-bed catalysts are avoided. Preferred catalyst are based on pyrogenic titanium dioxide with phosphoric acid fixed thereon.