Process for the preparation of a mixture of low-molecular weight polyhoric alcohols

Abstract

A process for preparing a mixture of polyhydroxyl compounds having low molecular weight by catalytically hydrogenating a formose mixture with hydrogen on a metal catalyst. The hydrogenation is carried out at a pH of 7.5 to 12.5 and at elevated temperature and pressure. The formose mixture comprises (i) up to 70 wt. % formose, (ii) up to 1.6 wt. % lead ions and (iii) up to 5 wt. % calcium ions with at least one of (ii) or (iii) being present. The catalyst which is present in an amount of 4-240 wt. % (based on formose solution) is a compound taken from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt and compounds thereof. The mixture of polyhydroxyl compounds made in accordance with the present invention is useful as a starting material in the production of polyether polyols, polyester polyols and polyurethane plastics.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.