Patent ID: 6559346
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: C07C,Y02P

Abstract:
A process for the continuous preparation of glutaraldehyde by reaction of an alkoxydihydropyran of the formula I where R is C1-C20-alkyl, with water at from 0Â° C. to 200Â° C. and a pressure in the range from 0.01 bar to 16 bar to form glutaraldehyde and the alcohol corresponding to the alkoxy group of alkxoydihydropyran, comprisinga) continuously introducing water and the alkoxydihydropyran into a reaction column at a point between the top and the bottom of the reaction column such that part of the theoretical plates is between the point of introduction and the bottom of the reaction column, and part of the theoretical plates is located between the point of introduction and the top of the reaction column; said reaction column having internals selected from the group consisting of random packing elements, structured packing made of sheet metal or metal mesh, trays and combinations thereof; the reaction column having at least 3 theoretical plates, and a reboiler at the bottom; b) taking off a distillate enriched in alcohol corresponding to the alkoxy group of the alkoxydihydropyran at the top of the column, and taking off a product enriched in glutaraldehyde at the bottom of the reaction column and c) controlling the heating power of the reboiler so that the product enriched in glutaraldehyde contains at least 10% by weight alcohol.