SINGLE-STEP METHOD FOR PREPARING 1,3-PROPANEDIOL BY HYDROFORMYLATION AND HYDROGENATION Russian patent published in 2006 - IPC C07C31/20 C07C29/16 

FIELD: organic chemistry, chemical technology.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to technology for synthesis of 1,3-propanediol by the hydroformylation reaction of ethylene oxide with the simultaneous hydrogenation step. Method involves the following steps: (a) contacting a mixture consisting of ethylene oxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, water-nonmixing reaction solvent and the hydroformylation catalyst composition; (b) heating this reaction mixture to obtain a monophase mixture of the reaction products comprising 1,3-propanediol wherein separation of phases can be induced by decreasing the temperature; (c) inducing for separation of phases by at least one method chosen from the group comprising: (1) decreasing temperature with combination of addition agent inducing separating into layers to the mixture; (2) reducing temperature in combination with the first addition of co-solvent at first increasing capacity for mixing followed by removal of co-solvent increasing capacity for mixing; (3) the following addition of co-solvent at first increasing capacity for mixing followed by removal of co-solvent increasing capacity for mixing, and (4) addition agent inducing separating phases to the products mixture wherein separating phases results to arising the first phase containing the main part of reaction solvent, at least, 50 wt.-% of the catalyst composition plus unreacted ethylene oxide, and the second phase that comprises the main part of 1,3-propanediol. Extraction of the catalyst residue is carried out preferably from the second phase and its recirculation to the step (a). The end product is isolated by distillation with recycle of unreacted compounds. Invention provides carrying out the process for a single step and simplifying technology for separating reactions products.

EFFECT: improved method for synthesis.

11 cl, 3 tbl, 1 dwg, 14 ex