PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF GAMMA-BUTYROLACTONE AND THE USE THEREOF

摘要

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of gamma-butyrolactone by catalytic hydrogenation of maleic acid anhydride, succinic acid anhydride or the acids thereof in the vapour phase in the presence of catalysts based on copper oxide and aluminium oxide after reduction. Said process is characterised in that a catalyst used to carry out the reaction consists of from 50 to 95 % by weight of copper oxide, 3 to 30 % by weight of aluminium oxide and 0 to 25 % by weight of a binder. The catalyst preferably consists of from 83.5 to 85.5 % by weight of copper oxide, 9-11 % by weight of aluminium oxide and 4.5 to 6.5 % by weight of graphite. The reaction mixture obtained can be used, without the removal of water, directly for other applications, e.g. for the preparation of N-methylpyrrolidone.