PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF CIS-2,2,4,4-TETRAMETHYLCYCLOBUTANE-1,3-DIOL

摘要

This invention is generally directed to a process for the preparation of cis- 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-diol comprising: treatment of at least one monomer selected from 2,2,4,4- tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-dione, 3-hydroxy-2, 2,4,4- tetramethylcyclobutanone, and 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-diol said diol having a starting cis:trans molar ratio of 0:1 to about 2:1, or mixtures thereof by contacting said monomer(s) with hydrogen in the presence of a reaction solvent in which the resulting cis-2, 2,4,4- tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-diol is partially soluble and further in the presence of a catalyst comprising about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent ruthenium, based on the total weight of the catalyst, deposited on a support material, under reaction conditions sufficient to produce a cis- 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-diol having a final cis:trans molar ratio of from 2:1 to about 25:1.