Ethynylation process

US7638658B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• DSM IP ASSETS B.V. · NL

Inventors

• Werner Bonrath · Kaiseraugst, CH
• Peter Scheer · Ettenheim, DE
• Johannes Tschumi · Basel, CH
• Reto Zenhaeusern · Baltschieder, CH

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 9, 2003
• Grant date: Dec 29, 2009
• Expiry date: Aug 9, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C29/42
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for the manufacture of an acetylenically unsaturated alcohol comprising reacting formaldehyde, an aldehyde or a ketone (a carbonyl compound) with acetylene in the presence of ammonia and an alkali metal hydroxide, the molar ratio of the alkali metal hydroxide to the carbonyl compound being less than 1:200. The reaction products, which depending on the starting carbonyl compound are propargyl alcohol or 1-monosubstituted or 1,1-disubstituted derivatives thereof, are of use as intermediates in the synthesis of many useful end products, inter alia in the field of vitamins and carotenoids.