Patent ID: 6521801
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
A process for preparing 1,3-alkanediol through carbonylation of an epoxide derivative, which comprises the steps of:(a) reacting an epoxide derivative with alcohol and carbon monoxide in a solvent at a temperature from about 30 to about 150Â° C. and at a pressure from about 50 to about 3000 psig in the presence of a catalyst system comprising (i) an effective amount of a cobalt catalyst and (ii) an effective amount of a promoter selected from the group consisting of pyrrole, pyrazine, pyrimidine, derivatives thereof and mixtures thereof, to afford a reaction product including at least one 3-hydroxyester or derivative thereof in an amount from about 2 to about 95% by weight; (b) separating said reaction product and solvent from the catalyst and promoter; (c) reacting said reaction product and solvent with hydrogen at a temperature of from about 30 to about 350Â° C. and at a pressure from about 50 to about 5000 psig in the presence of a catalyst system for hydrogenation to prepare a hydrogenation product mixture comprising a 1,3-alkanediol; and (d) recovering said 1,3-alkanediol from said hydrogenation product mixture.