Patent ID: 6617478
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: B01J,C07C

Abstract:
A process for preparing a 1,3-alkandiol from a 3-hydroxyester, comprising:A) preparing a catalyst by adding an alkaline precipitator to an aqueous copper salt solution to form copper hydroxide particles, and aging the particles following the addition of a colloidal silica thereto; B) activating the catalyst by reduction using a H2 gas or a H2-containing gas and applying a pressure within the range of from about 5 psig to about 2000 psig at a temperature within the range of from about 100Â° C. to about 250Â° C. in the presence of an activation solvent to prepare an activated catalyst; and C) hydrogenating a 3-hydroxyester in a liquid phase slurry with a H2 gas or a H2-containing gas and applying a pressure within the range of from about 50 psig to about 3000 psig at a temperature within the range of from about 100Â° C. to about 250Â° C. in the presence of the activated catalyst and a reaction solvent to prepare the 1,3-alkandiol.