Kevin Scott Howe

US Patent:

20150368171, Dec 24, 2015

Filed:

Jan 17, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/765045

Inventors:

- Kingsport, TN, US
Eugenen H. Brown - Gilmer TX, US
Thomas K. Brown - Hallsville TX, US
Amy K. Paris - Glenpool OK, US
Kevin S. Howe - Longview TX, US
Thomas Allen Puckette - Longview TX, US

Assignee:

Eastman Chemical Company - Kingsport TN

International Classification:

C07C 29/141
C07C 45/45

Abstract:

A process for producing polyols (such as neopentyl glycol) is disclosed which comprises reacting formaldehyde and another aldehyde in the presence of a trialkylamine catalyst and a base promoter to form an Aldol condensation reaction product. The base promoter improves removal of nitrogen containing salts prior to hydrogenation of the hydroxy aldehyde to produce the polyol. The improved process also reduces trialkylamine catalyst usage, improves trialkylamine catalyst recovery, and reduces nitrogen-containing salts prior to hydrogenation.