摘要 |
Process for the conversion of carbohydrates to polyhydric alcohols. Carbohydrates, such as corn starch hydrolyzate, glucose, and invert sugar, are converted to polyhydric alcohols by hydrogenation at high pressure in the presence of a ruthenium-containing alumino-silicate zeolite catayst in which the silica/alumina mol ratio is greater than three, and in particular ruthenium on a Y type zeolite in the hydrogen form. This acid stable catalyst gives good conversion with high selectivity to sorbitol when corn starch hydrolyzate in aqueous solution is used as the starting material. |