PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ETHYLENE GLYCOL

摘要

A process for the preparation and purification of a glycol aldehyde intermediate which is later hydrogenated to ethylene glycol is disclosed. The process proceeds via the catalytic reaction of formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and hydrogen and utilizes a novel class of lipophilic rhodium phosphine amide catalysts and an effective solvent mixture, which enables efficient catalyst separation and recycle without the loss of a substantial amount of the expensive catalyst.