Patent ID: 8816104
Filing Date: 2014-08-26
Classification: B01J,C07D

Abstract:
1. A process for the production of an ether by reaction of a corresponding organic feed material selected from dicarboxylic acids and/or anhydrides, monoesters of dicarboxylic acids and/or anhydrides, diesters of dicarboxylic acids and/or anhydrides, lactones, and mixtures of two or more thereof in the presence of hydrogen wherein the reaction is carried out in the presence of an activated catalyst, the process further comprising producing the activated catalyst by a process comprising treating a reduced catalyst at a temperature of more than 300° C. to about 400° C. with hydrogen comprising the steps of: (i) supplying a stream comprising a maximum of 0.5% hydrogen to the reduced catalyst at room temperature; (ii) increasing the temperature to a temperature in excess of 300° C. over a period of from 10 to 20 hours; and (iii) increasing the hydrogen content of the stream until it is 100%; wherein the stream supplied in step (i) is commenced at 0.1% hydrogen and subsequently increased stepwise to 0.5% over a period of 5 to 10 hours, and wherein as the hydrogen content of the stream supplied in step (i) is increased, the temperature is increased from room temperature to a temperature in the region of from about 100° C. to about 160° C.