Process for the commercial production of polyhydroxy alcohols and glycols
US5841002A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 27, 1996 |
| Grant date | Nov 24, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 27, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P20/584
- WIPO fieldOrganic fine chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An aldolisation process is disclosed for converting an aldehyde or mixture of aldehydes, such as iso-butyraldehyde and formaldehyde, to a desired polyhydroxy alcohol or glycol, such as neopentyl glycol. Aldolisation is effected in a stirred tank reactor using an alkali catalyst, such as sodium hydroxide. An aldolisation intermediate product is converted to the desired polyhydroxy alcohol or glycol by a hydrogenation or cross-Cannizzaro reaction step. The product is recovered and an aqueous catalyst-containing phase is recycled to the aldolisation zone. At least a portion of this catalyst recycle stream is purged to control the build up of cross-Cannizzaro products in the recycle stream. The purge stream is treated electrolytically to obtain an aqueous catalyst-containing solution for recycle to the aldolisation zone and an effluent stream comprising volatile organic materials and being substantially free from alkali catalyst.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.