Process for obtaining trimethylolpropane-enriched product streams from the secondary streams of trimethylolpropane preparation

US8987527B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• OXEA GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Guido D. Frey · Riedstadt, DE
• Heinz Strutz · Usingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 28, 2012
• Grant date: Mar 24, 2015
• Expiry date: Nov 28, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C29/80
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for obtaining trimethylolpropane-enriched product streams from the forerun fractions obtained in the distillative purification of trimethylolpropane is characterized in that: (a) the forerun fractions are treated separately or in combination at a temperature of 160 to 280° C. and at a pressure of 1 to 30 MPa with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst and an acidic compound; and (b) the reaction mixture obtained after step a) is separated by distillation into a trimethylolpropane-enriched, catalyst-free product stream and a catalyst-containing product stream. The trimethylolpropane is prepared by the Cannizzaro process using alkali metal or alkaline earth metal compounds or stoichiometric amounts of trialkylamines, or is produced by the hydrogenation process in the presence of catalytic amounts of trialkylamines or alkali metal or alkaline earth metal compounds.