Abstract: Linear alpha olefins are separated from 2-branched alpha olefins and/or 3-branched alpha olefins. A feedstock of linear alpha olefins, branched alpha olefins, and internal olefins is converted to a linear alpha olefin composition having a lower concentration of branched alpha olefins than present in the feedstock bya) contacting the feedstock with anthracene under conditions effective to form a reaction mixture comprising an anthracene-linear alpha olefin adduct;b) separating the anthracene-linear alpha olefin adduct from the reaction mixture;c) disassociating the anthracene-linear alpha olefin adduct to form anthracene and a linear alpha olefin composition, andd) separating the anthracene formed in step c) from a linear alpha olefin composition.

Abstract: An alkanediol such as 1,3-propanediol is prepared in a process which involves reacting an alkylene oxide with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in an essentially non-water-miscible solvent in the presence of a non-phosphine-ligated cobalt catalyst and a lipophilic ruthenium promoter to produce an intermediate product mixture containing a hydroxyalkanal in an amount less than 15 wt %; extracting the hydroxyalkanal from the intermediate product mixture into an aqueous liquid at a temperature less than about 100.degree. C. and separating the aqueous phase containing hydroxyalkanal from the organic phase containing cobalt catalyst; hydrogenating the hydroxyalkanal in the aqueous phase to an alkanediol; and recovering the alkanediol.The process enables the production of an alkanediol such as 1,3-propanediol in high yields and selectivity without the use of a phosphine ligand-modified cobalt catalyst.

Abstract: 1,3-propanediol is prepared in a process which involves hydroformylating ethylene oxide:(a) in an essentially non-water-miscible solvent in the presence of a non-ligated cobalt catalyst and a catalyst promoter at a temperature within the range of about 50.degree. to about 100.degree. C. and a pressure within the range of about 500 to about 5000 psig, to produce an intermediate product mixture comprising less than about 15 wt % 3-hydroxypropanal;(b) adding an aqueous liquid and extracting at a temperature less than about 100.degree. C. the 3-hydroxypropanal to provide an aqueous phase comprising 3-hydroxypropanal in greater concentration than the concentration of 3-hydroxypropanal in said intermediate product mixture, and an organic phase comprising the cobalt catalyst;(c) separating the aqueous phase from the organic phase;(d) hydrogenating the 3-hydroxypropanal to provide a hydrogenation product mixture comprising 1,3-propanediol; and(e) recovering 1,3-propanediol from said hydrogenation product mixture.

Abstract: An alkanediol such as 1,3-propanediol is prepared in a process which involves reacting an alkylene oxide with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in an essentially non-water-miscible solvent in the presence of a non-phosphine-ligated cobalt or rhodium catalyst and a manganese porphyrine promoter to produce an intermediate product mixture containing a hydroxyalkanal in an amount less than 15 wt %; extracting the hydroxyalkanal from the intermediate product mixture into an aqueous liquid at a temperature less than about 100.degree. C. and separating the aqueous phase containing hydroxyalkanal from the organic phase containing cobalt catalyst; hydrogenating the hydroxyalkanal in the aqueous phase to an alkanediol; and recovering the alkanediol.The process enables the production of an alkanediol such as 1,3-propanediol in high yields and selectivity without the use of a phosphine ligand with the cobalt or rhodium catalyst.

Abstract: An alkanediol such as 1,3-propanediol is prepared in a process which involves reacting an alkylene oxide with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in an essentially non-water-miscible solvent in the presence of a non-phosphine-ligated cobalt or rhodium catalyst and a cobalt or rhodium porphyrin promoter to produce an intermediate product mixture containing a hydroxyalkanal in an amount less than 15 wt %; extracting the hydroxyalkanal from the intermediate product mixture into an aqueous liquid at a temperature less than about 100.degree. C. and separating the aqueous phase containing hydroxyalkanal from the organic phase containing cobalt catalyst; hydrogenating the hydroxyalkanal in the aqueous phase to an alkanediol; and recovering the alkanediol.The process enables the production of an alkanediol such as 1,3-propanediol in high yields and selectivity without the use of a phosphine ligand with the cobalt or rhodium catalyst.

Abstract: An alkanediol such as 1,3-propanediol is prepared in a process which involves reacting an alkylene oxide with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in an essentially non-water-miscible solvent in the presence of a non-phosphine-ligated cobalt catalyst and a rhodium promoter to produce an intermediate product mixture containing a hydroxyalkanal in an amount less than 15 wt %; extracting the hydroxyalkanal from the intermediate product mixture into an aqueous liquid at a temperature less than about 100.degree. C. and separating the aqueous phase containing hydroxyalkanal from the organic phase containing cobalt catalyst; hydrogenating the hydroxyalkanal in the aqueous phase to an alkanediol; and recovering the alkanediol.The process enables the production of an alkanediol such as 1,3-propanediol in high yields and selectivity without the use of a phosphine ligand-modified cobalt catalyst.