Process for preparing a 1,3-alkandiol from 3-hydroxyester

A process for preparing a 1,3-alkandiol from a 3-hydroxyester, comprising:

• A) preparing a catalyst by adding an alkaline precipitator to an aqueous copper salt solution to form copper hydroxide particles, and aging the particles following the addition of a colloidal silica thereto;
• B) activating the catalyst by reduction using a H2 gas or a H2-containing gas and applying a pressure within the range of from about 5 psig to about 2000 psig at a temperature within the range of from about 100° C. to about 250° C. in the presence of an activation solvent to prepare an activated catalyst;
• and
• C) hydrogenating a 3-hydroxyester in a liquid phase slurry with a H2 gas or a H2-containing gas and applying a pressure within the range of from about 50 psig to about 3000 psig at a temperature within the range of from about 100° C. to about 250° C. in the presence of the activated catalyst and a reaction solvent to prepare the 1,3-alkandiol.