REDUCTIVE DEHYDROXYLATION OF VICINAL POLYOLS TO OLEFINS USING AN IODINE-BASED CATALYST HAVING ENHANCED SOLUBILITY

摘要

Olefins may be produced by the reductive dehydroxylation of vicinal polyols and/or their respective esters, in an aqueous reaction medium, under a hydrogen atmosphere, under suitable conditions, and in the presence of a halogen-based, preferably iodine-based, catalyst, wherein a solubility enhancing agent is employed to increase the solubility of the iodine-based catalyst in the aqueous reaction medium.

主权项

1. A process for preparing an olefin, comprising subjecting a material selected from the group consisting of a vicinal polyol, an ester of a vicinal polyol, and combinations thereof, to reductive dehydroxylation in the presence of an iodine-based catalyst containing at least one iodine atom per molecule thereof, under conditions including the presence of gaseous hydrogen at a pressure of from 1 pound per square inch gauge (˜6.89 kilopascals) to 2000 pound per square inch gauge (˜13.79 megapascals), a temperature ranging from 50° C. to 250° C. , an aqueous reaction medium, and a ratio of moles of the material to moles of the iodine atoms ranging from 1:10 to 100:1; wherein the iodine-based catalyst has partial solubility in the aqueous reaction medium and the partial solubility is enhanced by adding to the aqueous reaction medium a solubility enhancing agent; such that an olefin is formed.