PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF GLYCEROL FROM FORMALDEHYDE

摘要

A process for the production of glycerol from formaldehyde which process comprises reacting at elevated temperature formaldehyde in a liquid reaction medium with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst system comprising as essential components (i) a thiazolium or imidazolium salt, (ii) a proton abstractor, and (iii) a compound or mixture containing (a) a rhodium or ruthenium moiety and optionally (b) a moiety of the formula XR3 wherein X is either phosphorus, nitrogen arsenic or antimony and the groups R are independently either hydrogen or hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl groups.