Process for the production of 1,3-propanediol

US5334778A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Degussa AG · DE

Inventors

• Thomas Haas · Munster, DE
• Norbert Wiegand · Rheinfelden (Baden), DE
• Dietrich Arntz · Oberursel, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 19, 1993
• Grant date: Aug 2, 1994
• Expiry date: May 19, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C29/141
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

1,3-Propanediol produced in a known manner by catalytic hydrogenation of 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde (HPA) obtainable from acrolein has a high residual carbonyl content and leads to problems in the production of poly(1,3-propylene glycol terephthalate). Disclosed is a process for producing 1,3-propanediol having a residual carbonyl content, expressed as propionaldehyde, below 500 ppm and generally below 100 ppm produced in the presence of a fixed-bed or suspension hydrogenation catalyst under an H.sub.2 pressure of 5 to 300 bar providing the hydrogenation is carried out at 30.degree. to 80.degree. C. to an HPA conversion of 50 to 95% and is then continued at 100.degree. to 180.degree. C. to an HPA conversion of substantially 100%.