Formaldehyde → 2-Methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)-1,3-propanediol

Temperature

50 °C

A 4 l stirring flask with condenser and nitrogen blanketing was charged with crude 2,3-dimethylbutanal product (250 g, 2.5 mol) (88% 2,3-dimethylbutanal and 11% 4-methylpentanal) and formaldehyde (30% in water, 750 g, 7.5 mol) with 120 g of methanol. Over the course of 1.5 h, sodium hydroxide (25% in water, 645 g, 4 mol) was added dropwise and the batch was heated at 50° C. Following the addition of the base, the batch was stirred at 50° C. for a further 30 min and then adjusted to a pH of 7 with formic acid at room temperature. The phases were separated. The aqueous phase contained diol (˜12%) and so was extracted with amyl alcohol. The combined organic phases were freed under reduced pressure from methanol and amyl alcohol. The crude distillation of the product took place via a distillation bridge (109-135° C. at 4 mbar). The final distillation was carried out in a packed column (108-106° C. at 4 mbar). The product was obtained in a yield of 92% as a solid with a purity of 98%.

1. additionthe addition of the base
2. stirringthe batch was stirred at 50° C. for a further 30 min
3. customThe phases were separated
4. extractionso was extracted with amyl alcohol
5. distillationThe crude distillation of the product
6. customvia a distillation bridge (109-135° C. at 4 mbar)
7. distillationThe final distillation
8. customwas carried out in a packed column (108-106° C. at 4 mbar)
9. customThe product was obtained in a yield of 92% as a solid with a purity of 98%

ORD record

ord-f085126624974ac7bdcecbde5164fb6b

Source dataset

uspto-grants-2013_09

DOI

10.6084/m9.figshare.5104873.v1

Patent number

US08530570B2