Preparation of ethylene glycol
AssigneeTexaco Inc.
InventorJohn F. Knifton
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Abstract
A process for preparing ethylene glycol wherein a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen is contacted at an elevated temperature and pressure and in the presence of a solvent with a ruthenium compound and a promoter, such as pyrocatechol. In another aspect this invention relates to the preparation of ethylene glycol ethers from carbon monoxide and hydrogen.
Claims15
A process for the preparation of ethylene glycol which comprises reacting carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the presence of a ruthenium compound and one or more polyhydric phenols at a temperature of about 125.degree. to about 300.degree. C. and at a pressure of about 1000 psi to about 10,000 psi and wherein the said reaction is conducted in the presence of a solvent having the formula:
- R(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n OR'
- wherein R is alkyl having 1 to 4 inclusive carbon atoms and R' is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl having 1 to 4 inclusive carbon atoms, and n is an integer of from 2 to 4 inclusive.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.