Neste Oy

Neste Oyj

Dynea Chemicals Oy

Lars-Peter Lindfors

Eeva-Liisa Lakomaa

Kari Kulmala

Lea Rintala

Hannu Nousiainen

Vesa-Matti Lehtinen

Kalevi Heinola

Tapio Salmi

P&auml;ivi M&auml;ki-Arvela

Lea Parkkinen

Hannele Hakanpaa-Laitinen

Tiina-Kaisa Rantakyl&auml;

Erja Rautiainen

Valentina Serra-Holm

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of polyols having 3 or 4 hydroxyl groups, from an aldehyde and formaldehyde in the presence of water, followed by hydrogenation of the aldolisation product in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst at an elevated temperature. The aledhyde is obtained by an aldolisation reaction of an aldehyde having at least two &agr;-hydrogen atoms and a formula according to R CH CHO, wherein R is selected from a group comprising hydrogen, alkyl groups having 1-7 carbon atoms which can have cycloalkyl substituents, cycloalkyl groups, aryl groups and aralkyl groups with 1-7 carbon atoms is the alkyl chain, with formaldehyde in the presence of water in an amount of 20-70 wt %, preferably 40-60 wt % and in the presence of an anion exchange resin. The hydrogenation is preferably carried out in the presence of water.

Process for the preparation of polyols

The present invention concerns a process for producing 2-butyl-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol. According to the process, a reaction mixture is formed, containing 2-ethylhexanal and formaldehyde, into which an hydroxide compound is fed, whereby 2-ethylhexanal and formaldehyde are reacted to to produce 2-butyl-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol. According to the invention, the hydroxide compound is incrementally fed into the reaction mixture. Preferably the hydroxide compound is fed at least at two input rates, in such a way that the heat production of the reaction between 2-ethylhexanal and formaldehyde immediately after each increase of the input rate of the hydroxide compound, is at least almost the same. The invention allows for the production of BEPD in a controlled and safe manner, with excellent yields.

Process for the production of 2-butyl-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol

The present invention concerns a catalyst suited to the aromatization reaction of light hydrocarbons. Such a heterogeneous catalyst contains zinc bound to a zeolite support material. The catalyst in accordance with the invention is prepared by adsorbing the zinc onto the surface of the zeolite support material directly from the vapor phase by way of chemisorption. The zeolite compound acting thus as the support material is here heated to a temperature which is above the condensation temperature of the zinc vapor. Advantageously, the preparation has been carried out at temperatures above 390.degree. C. The zinc vapor has been brought to contact the zeolite support material, whereby the vapor pressure of zinc is maintained sufficiently high and the duration of its interaction with the support material sufficiently long so as to provide at least one equal amount of or, preferably, an excess of zinc in relation to the available binding sites of the support material. In order to avoid the desorption of absorbed zinc, temperature in the preparation reaction of the catalyst in accordance with the invention has been maintained below 550.degree. C.

Catalyst for aromatization of light hydrocarbons

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Espoo, Finland

Lars-Peter Lindfors