Patent ID: 6692616
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
A process for purifying a polyhydric alcohol obtained by condensing formaldehyde with a higher aldehyde, which process comprisesi) providing a crude polyhydric alcohol comprising trialkylammonium formate, methanol, trialkylamine and optionally water, and obtained by condensing formaldehyde with a higher aldehyde, and ii) separating the crude polyhydric alcohol into a first fraction comprising the polyhydric alcohol and a second fraction comprising trialkylammonium formate, methanol, trialkylamine and optionally water, by means of a distillation, wherein the distillation is conducted under conditions adapted to suppress a reaction of trialkylammonium formate, at a bottom temperature of >200Â° C., at a pressure of >400 mbar, and with a residence time of from 5 minutes to 2 hours.