Process and catalyst for the selective hydrogenation of butynediol to butenediol

US5714644A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

• Matthias Irgang · Heidelberg, DE
• Volkmar Menger · Neustadt, DE
• Ernest Miesen · Ludwigshafen, DE
• Peter Stops · Altrip, DE
• Fritz Graf · Speyer, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 20, 1997
• Grant date: Feb 3, 1998
• Expiry date: Mar 20, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C29/17
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process is disclosed for the selective hydrogenation of butynediol to 2-butene-1,4-diol using a palladium catalyst to which either copper and zinc, or silver and zinc, or copper, silver and zinc are added as doping agents. In the preferred embodiment, it has been possible, by optimizing the composition of the catalyst, to improve the activity and selectivity of the catalysts in question while also eliminating the need to handle toxic substances during the catalyst manufacturing process.