Abstract: A process for producing a polyol by reacting an aliphatic aldehyde with formaldehyde in the presence of a basic catalyst, which comprises a step of concentration which comprises removing water and unreacted formaldehyde from a reaction liquid by distillation; a step of extraction which comprises extracting the polyol from a concentrated reaction liquid with an extracting reagent; a step of washing with water which comprises washing an extract liquid with water and separating the liquid into an oil layer containing the polyol and an aqueous layer; wherein by useing an specific aliphatic aldehyde as the extracting agent and recovering the extracting reagent from the oil layer containing the polyol after adjusting pH of the oil layer, a high purity polyhydric alcohol can be obtained at a high yield with suppressed formation of byproducts such as acetal compounds and aldol compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for recovering ditrimethylolpropane from a still residue obtained by extracting and then distilling off trimethylolpropane from a reaction solution obtained by reacting n-butyraldelhyde with formaldehyde in the presence of a basic catalyst, wherein the still residue is distilled to remove high-boiling components therefrom, and the resultant distillate is subjected to crystallization. When the above process is combined with the acid decomposition, it becomes possible to decompose a linear formal compound obtained from 2 molecules of TMP contained in the still residue as crude TMP and one molecule of formaldehyde, so that di-TMP having a higher purity is obtained.

Abstract: A method of producing a highly pure trimethylolpropane from a crude trimethylolpropane obtained by a reaction of n-butyl aldehyde and formaldehyde in the presence of a basic catalyst in a two-stage process of an aldol condensation and a crossed Cannizzaro reaction. Since a high-boiling component and an inorganic salt are removed in advance from the crude trimethylolpropane, hardly removable impurities such as condensation products in the crude trimethylolpropane are changed in the subsequent heat treatment under acidic conditions to components easily removable by distillation. By distilling the heat-treated crude trimethylolpropane, a highly pure trimethylolpropane with a low content of remaining formaldehyde and a low coloring degree is easily obtained.

Abstract: A method of producing a highly pure trimethylolpropane from a crude trimethylolpropane obtained by a reaction of n-butyl aldehyde and formaldehyde in the presence of a basic catalyst in a two-stage process of an aldol condensation and a crossed Cannizzaro reaction. Since a high-boiling component and an inorganic salt are removed in advance from the crude trimethylolpropane, hardly removable impurities such as condensation products in the crude trimethylolpropane are changed in the subsequent heat treatment under acidic conditions to components easily removable by distillation. By distilling the heat-treated crude trimethylolpropane, a highly pure trimethylolpropane with a low content of remaining formaldehyde and a low coloring degree is easily obtained.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyol by reacting an aliphatic aldehyde with formaldehyde in the presence of a basic catalyst, which comprises a step of concentration which comprises removing water and unreacted formaldehyde from a reaction liquid by distillation; a step of extraction which comprises extracting the polyol from a concentrated reaction liquid with an extracting reagent; a step of washing with water which comprises washing an extract liquid with water and separating the liquid into an oil layer containing the polyol and an aqueous layer; wherein by useing an specific aliphatic aldehyde as the extracting agent and recovering the extracting reagent from the oil layer containing the polyol after adjusting pH of the oil layer, a high purity polyhydric alcohol can be obtained at a high yield with suppressed formation of byproducts such as acetal compounds and aldol compounds.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyhydric alcohol with high selectivity by subjecting formaldehyde and a specific aliphatic aldehyde to an aldol condensation reaction in the presence of a base catalyst, and then subjecting the resultant reaction product to a crossed Cannizzaro reaction, while reacting a solution containing a 2-substituted-2-alkanal, formed as a byproduct during the aldol condensation reaction, with water or formaldehyde in the presence of the base catalyst, and thereafter reacting the resultant mixture with the aliphatic aldehyde.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyhydric alcohol which comprises subjecting formaldehyde and a specific aliphatic aldehyde to an aldol condensation reaction in the presence of a base catalyst, and then subjecting the resultant reaction product to a crossed Cannizzaro reaction, while separating 2-alkenal formed as a byproduct during the aldol condensation reaction, prior to the completion of the crossed Cannizzaro reaction. Also a process for producing a polyhydric alcohol which comprises reacting formaldehyde with a 2-alkenal, such as that obtained in the aldol condensation reaction, in the presence of a base catalyst, then subjecting the resultant reaction product and a specific aliphatic aldehyde to an aldol condensation reaction, and subsequently subjecting the resultant reaction product to a crossed Cannizzaro reaction. The processes provide a polyhydric alcohol in high selectivity with a minimum excess of formaldehyde, without substantially by-producing a 2-alkenal.

Abstract: A process for producing ditrimethylolpropane which comprises reacting trimethylolpropane, 2-ethylacrolein, and formaldehyde in the presence of a basic catalyst.Ditrimethylolpropane is produced efficiently and industrially advantageously.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing a polyhydric alcohol which comprises reacting an aliphatic aldehyde with formaldehyde in the presence of a base compound consisting essentially of a hydrogencarbonate and a carbonate which have been formed by the oxidation or hydrolysis of a formic acid salt, in particular, the process according to the above process wherein a formic acid salt which has been by-produced by the reaction of an aliphatic aldehyde with formaldehyde is oxidized or hydrolyzed in the presence of a noble metal catalyst or a nickel catalyst in a reductive state to form a base compound consisting essentially of a hydrogencarbonate and a carbonate and this base compound is circulated through the reaction of the aldehyde and formaldehyde and is reused as the base compound. The above process enables easy and highly efficient production of high quality polyhydric alcohols substantially without by-producing a formic acid salt with a low value-added.

Abstract: A process for production of neopentyl glycol by hydrogenation of hydroxypivaldehyde in the presence of a Pt-Ru-W catalyst. This catalyst exhibits high activity and selectivity, and further has a long life. Neopentyl glycol is an important intermediate for use in production of a wide variety of chemicals.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol mono(hydroxypivalate) which comprises condensing two molecules of hydroxypivaldehyde in the presence of an organometallic complex containing a transition metal and organic ligands selected from the group consisting of acetylacetonato, fluoracetylacetonato and benzoylacetonato.

Abstract: A process for preparing esters which comprises reacting a polycarboxylic acid with an alcohol, removing the unreacted alcohol from the resultant esterification reaction mixture, heating the crude ester at a temperature of 160.degree. to 340.degree. C., contacting the heat-treated crude ester with an adsorbent, and recovering the ester of high purity. The ester obtained has superior electrical insulation, transparency and thermal stability.