Patent ID: 6080898
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
In a process for the catalytic hydrogenolysis of glycerol in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst, the improvement wherein the homogeneous catalyst is based on a platinum group metal or a compound of a platinum group metal, an anion source, and a metal-complexing compound of the formula Q.sup.1 Q.sup.2 MQ.sup.3 (I) or Q.sup.1 Q.sup.2 MQMQ.sup.3 Q.sup.4 (II) wherein M represents phosphorus, arsenic or antimony, Q represents a group that is covalently bonded to both M's and has at least two carbon atoms in the bridge, and Q.sup.1 to Q.sup.4 are independently similar or dissimilar optionally substituted hydrocarbyl groups or Q.sup.1 and Q.sup.2 and/or Q.sup.3 and Q.sup.4 together represent similar or dissimilar optionally substituted hydrocarbylene groups; wherein the process is carried out at a temperature in the range of 50 to 250.degree. C. and at a pressure in the range of 5 to 100 bar.