One-step production of 1,3-propanediol from ethylene oxide and syngas with a cobalt-iron catalyst

A process for preparing 1,3-propanediol comprising the steps of:

• (a) contacting, in a reaction mixture, ethylene oxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, a non-reactive reaction solvent, and a catalyst composition comprising:
• (i) A cobalt compound;
• and
• (ii) An iron component, optionally ligated with a ligand selected from the group consisting of N-heterocyclic, phosphine, and porphorine moieties, and;
• (b) heating said mixture to a temperature of 30 to about 150° C. and a pressure of of at least 100 psi (690 kPa) for a time effective to produce a two-phase reaction product mixture comprising an upper phase comprising a major portion of the solvent, at least about 50 wt % of the catalyst composition, plus unreacted ethylene oxide, and a lower phase, which comprises a major portion of 1,3-propanediol.