Patent ID: 6426437
Filing Date: 2002-07-30
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
A process for producing 1,4-butanediol comprising the steps of:(a) reacting allyl alcohol with a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a solvent and a catalyst system comprising a rhodium complex, a ruthenium complex and a bidentate diphosphine ligand to produce a first product mixture comprising 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde, the solvent and the catalyst system, wherein the ratio of diphosphine ligand:(rhodium complex+ruthenium complex) is at least two; (b) reacting the first product mixture with hydrogen to form a second product mixture comprising 1,4-butanediol, the solvent and the catalyst system; (c) optionally, separating 1,4-butanediol from the solvent and the catalyst system by water extraction, whereby a water phase and a solvent phase are formed, wherein the water phase comprises 1,4-butanediol the solvent phase comprises the solvent and the catalyst system; and (d) optionally, recycling the solvent phase to step (a).