Patent ID: 8877984
Filing Date: 2014-11-04
Classification: C07C,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A process for the preparation of a 1,3-cyclohexanedimethanol from isophthalic acid, comprising: (i). contacting isophthalic acid and (3-methylcyclohexyl)methanol in a reaction zone at a temperature of about 150° C. to about 280° C. while removing water from the reaction zone, to form an esterification product mixture comprising bis(3-methylcyclohexyl)methyl)isophthalate; (ii). contacting the esterification product mixture with hydrogen in a first hydrogenation zone in the presence of a catalyst effective for hydrogenation of an aromatic ring to produce a liquid effluent comprising bis(3-methylcyclohexyl)methyl)cyclohexane-1,3-dicarboxylate; (iii). contacting the effluent from the first hydrogenation zone with hydrogen in the presence of an ester hydrogenation catalyst in a second hydrogenation zone to produce a hydrogenation product comprising 1,3-cyclohexanedimethanol, 3,3′-oxybis(methylene)bis(methylcyclohexane), and (3-methylcyclohexyl)methanol and; (iv). recycling at least a portion of the (3-methylcyclohexyl)methanol from step (iii) to step (i).