PROCESS FOR HYDROGENOLYSIS OF CARBOXYLIC ACID ESTERS

摘要

Catalytic hydrogenolysis of carboxylic acid esters to produce alcohols is conducted in the vapor phase using hydrogen gas and a catalyst comprising a reduced mixture of copper oxide and zinc oxide, at temperatures at from about 75.degree.C to about 300.degree.C and pressures from about 0.1 kg/cm2 to about 100 kg/cm2 absolute. The ester may be essentially any of a vaporisable ester. The process is preferably carried out in a continuous manner, using a solid pelletized catalyst.