Patent ID: 6297408
Filing Date: 2001-10-02
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
A process for the production of 1,3-propanediol by catalytically hydrogenating an aqueous solution of 3-hydroxypropanal comprising the steps of:passing the 3-hydroxypropanal solution to a first hydrogenation stage and hydrogenating at a temperature of 30.degree. C. to 80.degree. C. to a 3-hydroxypropanal conversion of at least 70% in the presence of a first hydrogenation catalyst, the first hydrogenation catalyst comprising a first metal supported on an oxide phase; andpassing the reaction solution obtained from the first hydrogenation stage to a second hydrogenation stage and hydrogenating at a temperature of about 80.degree. C. to 180.degree. C. to a 3-hydroxypropanal conversion of up to 100% in the presence of a second hydrogenation catalyst comprising a second metal on an activated carbon support, where the hydrogenation temperature of the second stage is greater than the hydrogenation temperature of the first stage.