WERKWIJZE TER BEREIDING VAN EEN ALKYLEENGLYCOL DOOR HYDROLYSE VAN HET OVEREENKOMSTIGE ALKYLEENCARBONAAT.

摘要

This invention is concerned with producing glycols of the formula HOCHRCH2OH from hydrolysis, in a homogeneous liquid phase mixture, of an alkylene carbonate of the formula in which R is either hydrogen or methyl. This is accomplished by using an amount of water in excess of stoichiometry and using potassium carbonate as the preferred catalyst. The reaction is effected under a carbon dioxide pressure of at least 80 psig and the reaction temperature is desirably between about 85 DEG C. and 500 DEG C.