Continuous process for the recovery of 2 ethylhexanal and a tertiary amine from a mixture comprising 2-ethyl-2-(hydroxymethyl) hexanal, 2-ethylhexanal, tertiary amine and water

摘要

Disclosed is a continuous process for the manufacture of 2-ethyl-2-(hydroxymethyl)hexanal wherein 2-ethylhexanal, formaldehyde and a tertiary amine are continuously fed to a reaction zone and crude product comprising an aqueous phase and an organic phase containing 2-ethyl-2-(hydroxymethyl)hexanal and 2-ethylhexanal is continuously removed from the reaction zone. Also disclosed are processes for (1) the azeotropic distillation of the organic phase of the crude product whereby unreacted 2-ethylhexanal is recovered and (2) the catalytic hydrogenation of the refined, organic phase of the crude product to produce 2-butyl-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol.