PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF 1,3-PROPANEDIOL

摘要

1,3-propanediol (PD) is obtained by hydration of acrolein to 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde (HPA) with subsequent catalytic hydrogenation. 4-oxa-1,7-heptanediol (OD) occurs as a yieldreducing by-product. According to the invention, in order to increase the 1,3-propanediol yield, the OD which is separated by distillation during working-up of the reaction mixture containing PD and OD is treated in aqueous solution at from 100 to 300.degree.C with an acid solid catalyst, in particular an acid zeolite, and the reaction mixture from which the solid catalyst has been removed is returned into the working-up stage of the reaction mixture containing PD and OD.