Process for preparing 1,3-alkanediol from epoxide derivative

Abstract

A process for preparing an 1,3-alkanediol through carbonylation of an epoxide derivative includes the steps of (a) reacting an epoxide derivative with alcohol and carbon monoxide in a solvent at a temperature from about 30 to about 150° C. and at a pressure from about 50 to about 3000 psig in the presence of a catalyst system including an effective amount of a cobalt catalyst and an effective amount of a promoter to afford a reaction mixture including a 3-hydroxyester or derivative thereof in an amount of from 2 to about 95% by weight, (b) separating the reaction product and solvent from the catalyst and promoter, (c) reacting said reaction product and solvent with hydrogen at a temperature from about 30 to about 350° C. and at a pressure from about 50 to about 5000 psig in the presence of a catalyst system for hydrogenation to prepare a hydrogenation product mixture including a 1,3-alkanediol, and (d) recovering the 1,3-alkanediol from the hydrogenation product mixture. Catalyst systems for carrying out the inventive processes are also provided.