GB731389A - Synthesis of alcohols from carbon monoxide hydrogen and olefins - Google Patents

Abstract

The bottoms product obtained from the hydrogenation stage of an Oxo-synthesis is heated, preferably at 300-550 DEG F., and atmospheric pressure with solid caustic soda to form soaps of fatty acids of relatively high molecular weight and further alcohol product boiling in substantially the same range as the desired original alcohol product, the further alcohol product being withdrawn during the coarse of heat-treatment with caustic alkali. The caustic alkali may be added as a solution and the water flashed off. In an illustration of suitable apparatus a C7 olefine is carbonylated in the presence of an oil-soluble cobalt salt or soap, the aldehydic product hydrogenated, distilled to yield iso-octyl alcohol and a portion which is treated with caustic in amount about 5-15 per cent of that required to react with the alcohols present, at a temperature higher than the boiling point of the desired alcohol which is distilled off as formed optionally aided by the passing of a stripping gas such as nitrogen or hydrogen. After the reaction the residual bottoms is withdrawn and treated with water to remove soaps which may be converted to carbonylation catalyst by double decomposition with cobalt salts such as the sulphate or acetate. The catalyst so formed may be used in conjunction with organic matter, e.g. unsaponifiables, remaining in the bottoms. Examples are provided showing the production of alcohols and carbonylation catalysts by treatment of bottoms obtained by the use of C7 olefines with caustic soda. Specification 651,250 is referred to.