Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing 2-ethylhexanol having a reduced concentration of 2-ethyl-4-methyl pentanol. It may be practiced in its most basic form as a distillation. It may also be practiced as part of a multi-stage continuous process. In either form it begins with a feed stream comprising n-butyraldehyde containing as a contaminant, isobutyraldehyde, complexes of isobutyraldehyde, oligomers of isobutyraldehyde and mixtures thereof, to which is added or introduced, an amount of water effective to hydrolyze the oligomeric contaminants to the monomeric form of isobutyraldehyde during distillation. The water containing aldehyde mixture is introduced to a distillation zone with a residence time and at a temperature sufficient to hydrolyze the oligomeric contaminants to and then distill substantially all of the isobutyraldehyde overhead.

Abstract: A preferred process for producing 3-hydroxy-2,2,4-trimethylpentyl isobutyrate is described. The spent aqueous phase from an alkali metal hydroxide-catalyzed isobutyraldehyde condensation is concentrated in alkali metal isobutyrate salt, and the concentrated medium is introduced into a subsequent condensation to advantageously modify the isobutyraldehyde reaction. Increased conversions and productivities can thus be achieved. Preferred continuous processes, as well as preferred processes of controlled reaction duration and reactant/catalyst/salt ratios are also described. Further described is a preferred process for producing the diisobutyrate ester of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, which in a preferred mode also achieves a desirable coproduction of the diol and its monoisobutyrate ester.

Abstract: A process for producing 2,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypropyl-2,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypropionate (HPN) and neopentyl glycol (NP) blends from a neopentyl glycol production by-product stream containing neopentyl glycol, hydroxypivalic acid, and HPN using an acid catalyst.