Process for preparing 4-isopropylcyclohexylmethanol

摘要

The present invention relates to a process for preparing 4-isopropylcyclohexylmethanol (IPCHM) from para-cymene. The process for preparing 4-isopropylcyclohexylmethanol (IPCHM) comprises an electrochemical process for preparing a mixture of 4-isopropylbenzaldehyde dimethyl acetal and 4-(1-alkoxy-1-methylethyl)benzaldehyde dimethyl acetal, and intermediates passed through in the process, a hydrolysis step to form the corresponding benzaldehydes and a hydrogenation of this mixture to form 4-isopropylcyclohexylmethanol (IPCHM).

主权项

1. A process for preparing 4-isopropylcyclohexylmethanol of the formula (I) comprising the steps of a) electrochemical anodic methoxylation is performed with at least two compounds of the formulae (IIa), (IIb), (IIIa) and/or (IIIb) such that a mixture of the diacetals of the formulae (IVa) and (IVb) is formed, where R1 in the formulae (IIb), (IIIb) and (IVb) is a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and R in formula (IIb) is methyl or —C(O)R′, and R′ is a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, b) hydrolysing the mixture of the diacetals of the formulae (IVa) and/or (IVb) to form the aldehydes of the formulae (Va) and/or (Vb) where R1 is a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and c) hydrogenating the mixture of the aldehydes of the formulae (Va) and (Vb) to 4-isopropylcyclohexylmethanol of the formula (I) in the presence of hydrogen or a hydrogenous gas over a catalyst which comprises, as an active metal, at least one noble metal of group VIII of the periodic table on a support.