Process for preparing alpha, omega alkanediols

摘要

Preparing alpha , omega -alkanediol comprises: (a) reacting an alkanoic acid with an alkanol to form an ester; (b) oxidizing at least one terminal carbon atom of the ester by contacting with a whole-cell catalyst that expresses an alkane hydroxylase, in aqueous solution and in the presence of molecular oxygen to form an oxidized ester; (c) hydrogenating the oxidized ester with the formation of an alpha , omega -alkanediol and alkanol; (d) distillatively removing the alkanol with the formation of a reaction mixture depleted with respect to the alkanol; and (e) recycling the alkanol in the step (a).