US 5,180,847 A · Processes for preparing 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol derivatives

Abstract

A preferred process for producing 3-hydroxy-2,2,4-trimethylpentyl isobutyrate is described. The spent aqueous phase from an alkali metal hydroxide-catalyzed isobutyraldehyde condensation is concentrated in alkali metal isobutyrate salt, and the concentrated medium is introduced into a subsequent condensation to advantageously modify the isobutyraldehyde reaction. Increased conversions and productivities can thus be achieved. Preferred continuous processes, as well as preferred processes of controlled reaction duration and reactant/catalyst/salt ratios are also described. Further described is a preferred process for producing the diisobutyrate ester of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, which in a preferred mode also achieves a desirable coproduction of the diol and its monoisobutyrate ester.

Claims34

Dependent claims

A process for producing 3-hydroxy-2,2,4-trimethylpentyl isobutyrate, comprising the steps of:

reacting isobutyraldehyde in the presence of an alkali metal hydroxide to produce a reacted medium containing 3-hydroxy-2,2,4-trimethylpentyl isobutyrate and an alkali metal isobutyrate salt;
separating from said reacted medium, an aqueous medium containing the alkali metal isobutyrate salt;
removing water from said aqueous medium to concentrate it so as to contain at least about 12.5 weight % of the alkali metal isobutyrate salt;
and
introducing the concentrated alkali metal isobutyrate salt medium into a subsequent one of said reacting steps to increase the reaction rate.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Processes for preparing 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol derivatives

Life of this patent

Processes for preparing 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol derivatives

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims34