PROCESSES FOR MAKING CYCLOHEXANE COMPOUNDS

摘要

This invention relates to hydrogenation processes for making cyclohexane compounds. More specifically, this invention relates to hydrogenation processes in the presence of tertiary amide solvent compounds, as well as compositions that can result from such processes. The invention thus provides processes for making cyclohexanecarboxylic acid compounds and processes for making hydroxymethylcyclohexane compounds.

主权项

1. A process for making at least one hydroxymethylcyclohexane compound comprising:
a. combining hydrogen, at least one benzenecarboxylic acid compound and at least one solvent in the presence of at least one aryl hydrogenation catalyst comprising at least one rhodium or ruthenium compound on a solid support in a first reaction zone under first reaction conditions effective to hydrogenate the benzene ring on at least some of the at least one benzenecarboxylic acid compound to produce a first composition comprising at least one cyclohexanecarboxylic acid and the at least one solvent; b. combining at least some of the first composition with hydrogen and an acid hydrogenation catalyst in a second reaction zone under second reaction conditions effective to hydrogenate the acid groups on at least some of the at least one cyclohexanecarboxylic acid to produce a second composition comprising at least one hydroxymethylcyclohexane compound and the at least one solvent, wherein the solvent comprises at least one tertiary cyclic amide solvent compound.