Catalysts and process for hydrogenolysis of sugar alcohols to polyols
US6291725A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 3, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 18, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 3, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC07C29/60
- WIPO fieldOrganic fine chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention provides a process for preparation of low molecular weight polyols from high molecular weight polyols in a hydrogenolysis reaction under elevated temperature and hydrogen pressure. The process comprises providing in a reaction mixture the polyols, a base, and a metal catalyst prepared by depositing a transition metal salt on an inert support, reducing the metal salt to the metal with hydrogen, and passivating the metal with oxygen, and wherein the catalyst is reduced with hydrogen prior to the reaction. In particular, the process provides for the preparation of glycerol, propylene glycol, and ethylene glycol from sugar alcohols such as sorbitol or xylitol. In a preferred process, the metal catalyst comprises ruthenium which is deposited on an alumina, titania, or carbon support, and the dispersion of the ruthenium on the support increases during the hydrogenolysis reaction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.