Process for preparing alkanediols
US5841003A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 23, 1996 |
| Grant date | Nov 24, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 23, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC07C45/58
- WIPO fieldOrganic fine chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An alkanediol such as 1,3-propanediol is prepared in a process which involves reacting an alkylene oxide with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in an essentially non-water-miscible solvent in the presence of a non-phosphine-ligated cobalt catalyst and a lipophilic ruthenium promoter to produce an intermediate product mixture containing a hydroxyalkanal in an amount less than 15 wt %; extracting the hydroxyalkanal from the intermediate product mixture into an aqueous liquid at a temperature less than about 100.degree. C. and separating the aqueous phase containing hydroxyalkanal from the organic phase containing cobalt catalyst; hydrogenating the hydroxyalkanal in the aqueous phase to an alkanediol; and recovering the alkanediol. The process enables the production of an alkanediol such as 1,3-propanediol in high yields and selectivity without the use of a phosphine ligand-modified cobalt catalyst.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.