Hydrogenation of citric acid

US5391771A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

• Hans-Juergen Weyer · Mannheim, DE
• Rolf Fischer · Heidelberg, DE
• Christoph Sigwart · Schriesheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 30, 1993
• Grant date: Feb 21, 1995
• Expiry date: Sep 30, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07D309/06
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for the preparation of propane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid, tetrahydrofurfurylacetic acid and the C.sub.1 - to C.sub.20 -alkyl or C.sub.7 - to C.sub.12 -aralkyl esters thereof, propane-1,2,3-trimethanol, 3-methyltetrahydrofuran, 3-(2'-hydroxyethyl)tetrahydrofuran, 4-hydroxymethyltetrahydropyran, 2-methyl-.gamma.-butyrolactone and/or 3-methyl-.gamma.-butyrolactone, comprises reacting citric acid or the C.sub.1 - to C.sub.20 -alkyl or C.sub.7 - to C.sub.12 -aralkyl esters thereof on hydrogenation catalysts in non-aqueous solvents at from 50.degree. to 400.degree. C. and at from 1 to 400 bar.