Synthesis of guerbet alcohols

摘要

The present invention relates to a method and system for preparing a mixture of Guerbet alcohols where one or more primary alcohols of formula RCH 2 CH 2 OH are provided, with R representing hydrogen or a straight or branched chain alkyl of 1 to 14 carbon atoms. Further, a base and a catalyst are provided, which are mixed with the primary alcohol(s). The resulting mixture is heated to a process temperature above the boiling point of water under reaction conditions and the water resulting from the thus obtained condensation and dehydration of the primary alcohols is then removed constantly. When the Guerbet reaction has reached a certain stage, at least part of the reaction mixture is removed, followed by a separation of the desired Guerbet alcohols from the removed part of the reaction mixture. The other alcohols from the removed part of the reaction mixture are then returned to the reaction mixture for obtaining a higher amount of the desired Guerbet alcohols.