LOW PRESSURE PROCESS FOR THE HYDROGENATION OF DIMETHYL BENZENEDICARBOXYLATES TO THE CORRESPONDING DIMETHYL CYCLOHEXANEDICARBOXYLATES

摘要

Disclosed is a process for the preparation of a dimethyl cyclohexanedicarboxylate by the hydrogenation of the corresponding dimethyl benzenedicarboxylate ester in the presence of a class of supported catalysts comprising palladium and a second Group VIII metal selected from nickel, platinum, ruthenium or a mixture thereof deposited on an alumina support which have a unique combination of characteristics. The use of the catalysts permits the process to be carried out at significantly lower process pressures.