Patent ID: 7723551

Claim:
A process for the co-production of 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane -1,3-diol and cyclohexanedimethanol comprising contacting a mixture comprising 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-dione and dimethylcyclohexanedicarboxylate with a copper-based catalyst in the presence of hydrogen under conditions of pressure ranciinci from about 2000 to about 6000 psig and temperature ranging from about 170 to about 210°C. to yield at least about 25 wt % of the 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-dione into 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-diol and at least about 30 wt % of the dimethylcyclohexanedicarboxylate into cyclohexanedimethanol.