摘要 |
An improved process for the preparation of a trimethylolalkane of the formula <IMAGE> (I) wherein R1 denotes an aliphatic radical by reacting formaldehyde with an aldehyde of the formula <IMAGE> (II) wherein R1 has the meaning indicated above and thereafter hydrogenating the resultant 2,2-dimethylolalkanal, the improvement residing in employing formaldehyde in a molar ratio of at least 8:1 to the aldehyde reactant, carrying out the aldehyde-formaldehyde reaction in the presence of an aldol condensation base at a temperature between -20 and 5 DEG C, optionally in the presence of an ion of an element of group VII and/or VIII and/or sub-group I or II of the periodic system. |