HYDROGENATION CATALYSTS FOR THE PREPARATION OF PROPANEDIOLS, AND THE PREPARATION OF THE LATTER

摘要

Hydrogenation catalysts which are prepared from mixed crystals of copper-zinc compounds, obtained by precipitation, of the formula Cu1.5-3Zn1-2.5(CO3)1-2(OH)4-6 ? (H2O)O-1 by decomposition at 200 - 500.degree.C, and are used for the catalytic preparation of propanediols of the formula I where the R's may be identical or different and each is an aliphatic, araliphatic or aromatic radical, or the two R's together with the adjacent carbon atom are members of an alicyclic ring, by hydrogenating hydroxypropionaldehydes of the formula II where R has the above meanings, and to processes for the preparation of propanediols, using such catalysts. The propane-1,3-diols obtainable by the novel process are valuable starting materials for the preparation of lubricants, plastics, surface coatings and synthetic resins, for example of polyesters derived from the propanediols.