PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF PROPANE-1,3-DIOL BY VAPOR PHASE HYDROGENATION OF .BETA.-PROPIOLACTONE, OLIGOMERS OF .BETA.-PROPIOLACTONE, ESTERS OF 3-HYDROXYPROPANOIC ACID OR MIXTURES THEREOF

摘要

A process is described for the production of propane-1,3-diol. The process comprises subjecting a vaporous feed mixture comprising a hydrogen-containing gas and a feedstock selected from 3-hydroxypropanal, beta-propiolactone, oligomers of beta-propiolactone, esters of 3-hydroxypropanoic acid, and mixtures of two or more thereof to hydrogenation conditions in a hydrogenation zone in the presence of a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst, and recovering a reaction product comprising propane-1,3-diol.