Combined Formose/Transfer Hydrogenation Process for Ethylene Glycol Synthesis

摘要

The present invention provides a process for the production of a glycol via tandem self condensation of formaldehyde via formoin condensation and transfer hydrogenation of the reaction products of the formoin condensation. In some aspects, synthetic processes of the present invention utilize a combination of a N-heterocyclic carbene catalyst and a transition metal hydrogen-transfer catalyst providing enhanced selectivity and increased yields for the production of ethylene glycol relative to conventional synthetic approaches based on formoin condensation.