METHOD FOR PRODUCING MIXTURES OF 1,4-BUTANEDIOL, TETRAHYDROFURAN AND .GAMMA.-BUTYROLACTONE

摘要

The invention relates to a method for producing 1,4-butanediol, tetrahydrofuran and .gamma.-butyrolactone by oxidation of butane to a product flow containing maleic anhydride, absorption of maleic anhydride fro m the product flow with a high-boiling alcohol, which yields a liquid absorption product containing maleic acid half- and diesters and hi gh- boiling alcohol, post-esterification of the liquid absorption product and subsequent hydrogenation of the post-esterified product in the liquid phase. The high-boiling alcohol is a polyvalent alcohol with a boiling point at normal pressure of more than 233 .degree.C and the post-esterified product has an acid value of less than 30 mg KOH/g and a water content of less than 1 weight %.