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Abstract

1,3-propanediol is prepared in a process which involves hydroformylating ethylene oxide: (a) in an essentially non-water-miscible solvent in the presence of a non-ligated cobalt catalyst and a catalyst promoter at a temperature within the range of about 50.degree. to about 100.degree. C. and a pressure within the range of about 500 to about 5000 psig, to produce an intermediate product mixture comprising less than about 15 wt % 3-hydroxypropanal; (b) adding an aqueous liquid and extracting at a temperature less than about 100.degree. C. the 3-hydroxypropanal to provide an aqueous phase comprising 3-hydroxypropanal in greater concentration than the concentration of 3-hydroxypropanal in said intermediate product mixture, and an organic phase comprising the cobalt catalyst; (c) separating the aqueous phase from the organic phase; (d) hydrogenating the 3-hydroxypropanal to provide a hydrogenation product mixture comprising 1,3-propanediol; and (e) recovering 1,3-propanediol from said hydrogenation product mixture. The process enables the production of 1,3-propanediol in high yields and selectivity without the use of a phosphine ligand-modified cobalt catalyst.

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