Combined Formose/Transfer Hydrogenation Process for Ethylene Glycol Synthesis
OwnerRobert H. Grubbs, Patricio E. Romeroinventors
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Abstract
The present invention provides a process for the production of a glycol via tandem self condensation of formaldehyde via formoin condensation and transfer hydrogenation of the reaction products of the formoin condensation. In some aspects, synthetic processes of the present invention utilize a combination of a N-heterocyclic carbene catalyst and a transition metal hydrogen-transfer catalyst providing enhanced selectivity and increased yields for the production of ethylene glycol relative to conventional synthetic approaches based on formoin condensation.
Claims43
A process for the production of a glycol, said process comprising the steps of:
- contacting formaldehyde with a N-heterocyclic carbene catalyst thereby generating one or more reaction products;
- and
- providing a transition metal hydrogen-transfer catalyst in contact with at least a portion of said one or more reaction products, thereby producing said glycol.
A process for the production of ethylene glycol, said process comprising the steps of:
- contacting formaldehyde with Enders carbene or a methanol adduct thereof, thereby generating one or more reaction products;
- and
- providing Shvo's catalyst in contact with at least a portion of said one or more reaction products in the presence of methanol, thereby producing said ethylene glycol.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.