Patent ID: 6545190
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: C07C,Y02P

Abstract:
A process for one-step synthesis of 1,3-propanediol which comprises:(a) Contacting in a reaction vessel a mixture of ethylene oxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, a non-water-miscible solvent and a hydroformylation catalyst composition; (b) Heating said mixture to a temperature within the range from 30 to about 150Â° C. and a pressure within the range of about 100 to about 4000 psig for a time effective to produce a single-phase reaction product mixture containing 1,3-propanediol; and (c) Inducing phase separation by at least one method selected from the group consisting of: (i) temperature reduction combined with addition of a phase split-inducing agent to the mixture in an amount sufficient to induce phase separation, (ii) temperature reduction combined with first adding a miscibilizing cosolvent to keep the reaction product mixture in a single phase and then removing the miscibilizing cosolvent, (iii) first adding a miscibilizing cosolvent to keep the reaction product mixture in a single phase and then removing the miscibilizing cosolvent, and (iv) adding a phase split-inducing agent to the reaction product mixture in an amount sufficient to induce phase separation; wherein the phase separation results in a first phase comprising a major portion of the non-water-miscible solvent, at least 50 percent of the catalyst composition, plus unreacted ethylene oxide, and a second phase, which comprises a major portion of 1,3-propanediol.