Process for preparing 1,3-alkanediols and 3-hydroxyaldehydes

摘要

A process for preparing 1,3-alkanediols and 3-hydroxyaldehydes by hydroformylating an oxirane with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of one or more Group VIII metal-based hydroformylation catalysts, which may contain up to 50 mole % based on the metal of phosphine-modified catalysts, wherein the concentration of the oxirane at the start of the reaction is less than 15 wt.% based on the weight of the total liquid reaction mixture. The process enables the production of 1,3-propanediol in high yields and selectivity.