HYDROGENATION OF ALPHA-HYDROXY KETONES

摘要

HYDROGENATION OF ALPHA-HYDROXY KETONES This invention relates to a process for the catalytic hydrogenation of alpha-hydroxy ketones to the corresponding alcohol in a heterogeneous liquid phase reaction medium which contains a carboxylic acid. The carboxylic acid may be a simple carboxylic acid or a hydroxy carboxylic acid. The presence of the carboxylic acid improves both the yield of and selectivity to the alcohol product.