One-step production of 1, 3-propanediol from ethylene oxide and syngas with a catalyst with a phospholanoalkane ligand

A process for preparing 1,3-propanediol comprising the steps of:

• (a) contacting, in a reaction mixture, ethylene oxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, an inert reaction solvent, and a catalyst composition comprising:
• (i) one or more non-ligated cobalt carbonyl compounds;
• and
• (ii) a ruthenium carbonyl compound ligated with a phospholanoalkane moiety;
• and
• (b)heating said mixture to a temperature within the range from 30 to 150° C. and a pressure of at least 100 psi (690 kpa)for a time effective to produce a two-phase reaction product mixture comprising an upper phase comprising a major portion of the solvent, at least 50 wt % of the catalyst composition, plus unreacted ethylene oxide, and a lower phase, which comprises a major portion of 1,3-propanediol.