Patent ID: 8394998

Claim:
A continuous process for preparing neopentyl glycol, comprising the steps of: a.) producing hydroxypivalaldehyde by addition of isobutyraldehyde and formaldehyde in the presence of a tertiary alkylamine as a catalyst; b.) passing a starting mixture comprising: (i.) hydroxypivalaldehyde produced in step a.); (ii.) an aliphatic alcohol in an amount of 15 to 27% by weight of the organic component in the starting mixture; (iii.) hydrogen; and (iv.) water in an amount of more than 15 to 25% by weight, based on the total mass of the starting mixture; to a tubular reactor without internals and without stirrer apparatus and c.) hydrogenating said hydroxypivalaldehyde at a temperature of 110 to 180° C.; and a pressure of 6 to 18 MPa in the presence of a catalyst chosen from the group consisting of: (i.) nickel dispersed on a solid support; (ii.) nickel and an oxide of: sodium; potassium; magnesium; calcium; barium; zinc; aluminum; zirconium; chromium or a combination of any of these oxides; and (iii.) Raney nickel.