METHOD FOR THE CONTINUOUS PRODUCTION OF GLUTARALDEHYDE

摘要

The invention relates to a method for the continuous production of glutaraldehyde by reacting an alkoxydihydropyrane of general formula (I), wherein R represents C1-C20 alkyl, with water at a temperature in the range of from 0 DEG C to 2000 DEG C and a pressure in the range of from 0.01 bar to 16 bar, and obtaining glutaraldehyde and the alcohol that corresponds to the alkoxy group. Water and alkoxyhydropyrane are continuously fed to a reaction column and at the top of the column a distillate enriched with the alcohol that corresponds to the alkoxy group and at the foot thereof a product enriched with glutaraldehyde is removed. The inventive method provides a simple means for producing glutaraldehyde or C-substituted glutaraldehydes continuously and with an improved purity which requires a minimum of equipment.