Western Kentucky University

Theodore E Nalesnik

Norman L Holy

A process for the preparation of cyclic ethers which comprises reacting an alkanediol in which the hydroxyl groups are separated by a chain of at least four carbon atoms in the liquid phase of a catalyst comprising a palladium salt and a copper salt, and recovering the cyclic ether thus formed by a separation step such as distillation. The reaction is carried out in a molecular oxygen gaseous atmosphere. A preferred catalyst is palladium chloride in combination with a copper salt such as cupric chloride or cupric nitrate.

Production of cyclic ethers

A process for the preparation of hydroxy ethers which comprises reacting an epoxide compound with an organic hydroxy compound in the presence of a PdCl.sub.2 /CuCl.sub.2 /O.sub.2 catalyst system, and recovering the hydroxy ether thus formed from the reaction mixture by a separation step such as distillation. An alternative catalyst system is K.sub.2 PdCl.sub.6 /CuCl.sub.2 /O.sub.2.

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Yonkers, NY, United States of America

Theodore E Nalesnik