Patent ID: 8580978
Filing Date: 2013-11-12
Classification: C07C,C07D,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A process for preparing a 5- or 6-member lactone product comprising: providing a metal catalyst comprising a titanium dioxide or zirconium dioxide support in a reactor; wherein the metal catalyst comprises a metal of any one of groups 7-11 or a combination of two or more such metals; providing the reactor with a hydrogen flow; and providing the reactor with a reactant flow comprising a reactant of a carboxylic acid or an ester of a carboxylic acid of the general molecular formula (I) wherein R wherein the reactant flow is provided at a weight hourly space velocity in the range of from 0.1 to 30 grams of reactant per gram of catalyst per hour; wherein contact of at least a portion of the reactant with the metal catalyst in the reactor in the presence of hydrogen produces a reaction product comprising a 5- or 6-member lactone product.