PROCESS FOR PREPARING GLYCOLS

摘要

The invention relates to a process for oxidising an aliphatic olefin with 2 - 4 carbon atoms with an aqueous medium containing (i) at least one cation selected from the group consisting of copper ions and iron ions, and (ii) an anion which at least includes a bromine ion and can solubilize copper and/or iron at a controlled temperature, cation and anion concentration to form a corresponding glycol. The inventive process eliminates the need for expensive noble metal salts.