| 摘要 |
<PICT:0589380/IV/1> Alcohols of at least 6 carbon atoms per molecule are prepared by reduction of the corresponding carboxylic ester with sodium in an aliphatic alcohol at a temperature above the melting point of sodium and not exceeding the boiling point of the mixture, the reactants being dried to a degree of humidity lower than .001 per cent and, preferably, lower than .0001 per cent. The ester preferably has an acidity index below 20 and the solvent alcohol only slight solubility in water and soda. At least 20 parts of ester per 100 parts of alcohol by weight should be used, at least 1000 litres of reactants being treated in a jacketed spherical vessel 1 having a stirrer 8 and a reflux refrigerating device comprising an open vat 10 with a jacket for cold water. The mixture is heated externally to about 100 DEG C., sodium introduced at 7, and cooling effected, additional sodium being added to give p a temperature near boiling. After a final boiling, the product is run off, water added, and the alcohols separated by distillation. In examples, coconut and spermaceti oils are reduced in amyl alcohol. |
