Abstract: Disclosed is a novel class of modified ruthenium catalysts useful in the one step synthesis of 1,3-PDO comprising (a) a cobalt component comprising one or more non-ligated cobalt compounds; and (b) a ruthenium component comprising in major part a ruthenium carbonyl compound ligated with a phospholanoalkane ligand, solubilized in an ether solvent, that provides potential improvements in cost and performance in one step hydroformylation/hydrogenation. For example, cobalt-ruthenium-bidentate, bis(phospholano)alkane catalyst precursors in ether solvents provide good yields of 1,3-PDO in a one step synthesis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of polyesters of a glycol and a dicarboxylic acid which comprises the following steps: a) introducing a feedstock comprising one or more glycols and one or more dicarboxylic acids or monoalcohol esters thereof into a reactor vessel, b) heating the feedstock to an elevated temperature to cause the glycols and the acids or monoalcohol esters thereof to polycondense into a polyester, c) removing all of the polyester from the reactor vessel, wherein step b) is carried out in the absence of a preformed polyester (“zero heel” process). A condensation catalyst is added in step a) or b) or both.

Abstract: Disclosed is a one step hydroformylation process for preparing a 1,3-diol, comprising the reaction of an oxirane with syngas at hydroformylation conditions in an inert solvent in the presence of a hydroformylation catalyst comprising a ruthenium (+1)-phosphine bidentate:cobalt (−1) complex, wherein the ligated metal is ruthenium, under conditions which preferably upon completion of the oxirane/syngas reaction cause a phase separation of the reaction mixture into a solvent phase which is rich in catalyst and a second phase which is rich in the 1,3-diol, recycling the phase rich in catalyst directly to the hydroformylation reaction for further reaction with previously unreacted starting materials, thus permitting valuable hydroformylation catalyst to be recycled without degradation or exposure to downstream processing and recovering the 1,3-diol from the second phase rich in 1,3-diol.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for an improved oxirane hydroformylation catalyst, the improved oxirane hydroformylation catalyst, and a one step process for preparing a 1,3-diol in the presence of such a catalyst. One process for preparing the hydroformylation catalyst involves: a) forming a complex (A) by contacting a ruthenium(0) compound with a ditertiary phosphine ligand; and b) forming a complex (B) by subjecting complex (A) to a redox reaction with a cobalt(0) carbonyl compound. This catalyst is used in a one step hydroformylation process for preparing a 1,3-diol, comprising the reaction of an oxirane with syngas at hydroformylation conditions in an inert solvent in the presence of the above hydroformylation catalyst where recovery of product is preferably accomplished via phase separation of a diol rich phase from the bulk reaction liquor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new catalyst composition comprising a bimetallic Co—Fe catalyst, optionally complexed with a ligand selected from a N-heterocycle, phosphine, or porphorine ligand, that provides a lower cost alternative for the one step synthesis of 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) from ethylene oxide and synthesis gas. For example, a catalyst containing cobalt carbonyl: iron carbonyl with no ligand, or a catalyst containing a cobalt carbonyl: octaethylporphine iron acetate provide moderate yields of 1,3-PDO in a one step synthesis under mild conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for an improved oxirane hydroformylation catalyst, the improved oxirane hydroformylation catalyst, and a one step process for preparing a 1,3-diol in the presence of such a catalyst.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for an improved oxirane hydroformylation catalyst, the improved oxirane hydroformylation catalyst, and a one step process for preparing a 1,3-diol in the presence of such a catalyst. One process for preparing the hydroformylation catalyst involves: a) forming a complex (A) by contacting a ruthenium(0) compound with a ditertiary phosphine ligand; and b) forming a complex (B) by subjecting complex (A) to a redox reaction with a cobalt(0) carbonyl compound. This catalyst is used in a one step hydroformylation process for preparing a 1,3-diol, comprising the reaction of an oxirane with syngas at hydroformylation conditions in an inert solvent in the presence of the above hydroformylation catalyst where recovery of product is preferably accomplished via phase separation of a diol rich phase from the bulk reaction liquor.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for an improved oxirane hydroformylation catalyst, the improved oxirane hydroformylation catalyst, and a one step process for preparing a 1,3-diol in the presence of such a catalyst. One process for preparing the hydroformylation catalyst involves: a) forming a complex (A) by contacting a ruthenium(0) compound with a ditertiary phosphine ligand; and b) forming a complex (B) by subjecting complex (A) to a redox reaction with a cobalt(0) carbonyl compound. This catalyst is used in a one step hydroformylation process for preparing a 1,3-diol, comprising the reaction of an oxirane with syngas at hydroformylation conditions in an inert solvent in the presence of the above hydroformylation catalyst where recovery of product is preferably accomplished via phase separation of a diol rich phase from the bulk reaction liquor.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for an improved oxirane hydroformylation catalyst, the improved oxirane hydroformylation catalyst, and a one step process for preparing a 1,3-diol in the presence of such a catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of polyesters of a glycol and a dicarboxylic acid which comprises the following steps:

Abstract: The invention provides a process for an improved oxirane hydroformylation catalyst, the improved oxirane hydroformylation catalyst, and a one step process for preparing a 1,3-diol in the presence of such a 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.