Process for producing polyhydric alcohol

摘要

There is disclosed a process for producing a polyhydric alcohol which comprises subjecting formaldehyde and a specific aliphatic aldehyde to an aldol condensation reaction in the presence of a base catalyst, and then subjecting the resultant reaction product to a crossed Cannizzaro reaction, while separating 2-alkenal formed as a byproduct during the aldol condensation reaction prior to the completion of the crossed Cannizzaro reaction; and also a process for producing the same which comprises reacting formaldehyde with a 2-alkenal which is preferably obtained in the above aldol condensation reaction in the presence of a base catalyst, then subjecting the resultant reaction product and a specific aliphatic aldehyde to an aldol reaction, and subsequently subjecting the resultant reaction product to a crossed Cannizzaro reaction. According to the above process, an objective polyhydric alcohol is easily efficiently obtained in high selectivity with a minimum excess of formaldehyde without substantially by-producing a 2-alkenal with a low added value.