Process for the Production of Diols

A process for the production of polymerizable monomers corresponding to formula (I):

• in which R1 is hydrogen or a C1-4 alkyl group,
• R2 to R4 independently represent hydrogen or an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic moiety,
• X is a group —(CH2)n and n is the number 0 or 1,
• Y is a group —(CHR5)m and m is the number 0, 1 or 2, and R5 is hydrogen or an OH group,
• comprising the steps of:
• (a) hydrolyzing a compound corresponding to formula (II):
• in which the substituents R1, R2 to R4, X and Y are as defined above and the substituents R6 and R7 independently represent hydrogen or an aliphatic group,
• in aqueous medium and in the presence of an acid dissolved in the aqueous medium, the hydrolysis being accompanied by elimination of a compound (III):
• in which R6 and R7 are as defined above, to form a hydrolysis mixture, and
• (b) contacting said mixture with a weak base to neutralize the acid present in the mixture, said base having a pKb value above 0.18 and being present in heterogeneous form.