| 摘要 |
PURPOSE:To enhance selectivity for the objective compound by specifying the volume ratio of a space volume where the product gas is passed from the outlet of a catalyst layer to a cooling part to the catalyst layer in producing the subject compound from ethylene glycol using a specific copper- and zinc-based catalyst. CONSTITUTION:Ethylene glycol 2 in the vapor phase is introduced into a catalyst layer 3 filled in a reaction tube 1 and the product gas is then condensed with a cooler 5 connected to the reaction tube 1 to produce the subject compound 6 useful as a raw material for alpha-amino acids, medicines, agricultural chemicals, etc. In the process, a copper- and zinc-based catalyst containing zinc in an amount of 0.3-3 pts.wt. based on 1 pt.wt. copper expressed in terms of copper oxide is used as the aforementioned catalyst 3 and a space volume (B) where the product gas is passed from the outlet of the catalyst layer to a cooling part in which the product gas starts condensation is simultaneously regulated to <=0.6 of the volume (A) of the catalyst layer. Thereby, the formation of glycolic acid or condensates, etc., as a by-product is remarkably inhibited and the selectivity for the objective compound is enhanced and kept for a long period. |
