PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF 2-ETHYL HEXANOL

摘要

A process for the production of 2-ethyl-hexanol comprising reacting propene with carbon monoxide and hydrogen, in the presence of an aqueous catalyst containing rhodium and at least one sulfonated triarylphosphine, to form an aqueous phase and an organic phase, said organic phase comprising a mixture of materials having boiling points lower than that of n-butanal and substances having boiling points equal to or higher than that of n-butanal, said materials including i-butanal, separating said material from said substances, subjecting said substances to aldol condensation, in the presence of aqueous alkali, to form 2-ethyl hexenal, first hydrogenating said 2-ethyl-hexenal in a gas phase in the presence of a first hydrogenation catalyst and thereafter hydrogenating said 2-ethyl-hexenal in a liquid phase to form 2-ethyl-hexanol in the presence of a second hydrogenation catalyst.