Process for the preparation of 1,3-propanediol

US5364987A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Degussa AG · DE

Inventors

• Thomas Haas · Munster, DE
• Dietrich Arntz · Oberursel, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 6, 1993
• Grant date: Nov 15, 1994
• Expiry date: Jul 6, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C45/64
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

1,3-propanediol (PD) is obtained by hydration of acrolein to 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde (HPA) with subsequent catalytic hydrogenation; 3,3'-oxybis-1-propanol (OD) occurs as a yield-reducing by-product. Disclosed is a process which increases the 1,3-propanediol yield. The OD which is separated by distillation during treatment of the reaction mixture containing PD and OD is treated in aqueous solution at from 100 to 300.degree. C. with an acid solid catalyst, in particular an acid zeolite, and the reaction mixture from which the solid catalyst has been removed is returned into the treatment stage of the reaction mixture containing PD and OD.