PATENT

3453. ----- [STANDARD OIL CO.]  Alcohols.  British Patent 668,963, Mar. 26, 1952.  Chem Abs., vol. 46, 1952, p. 10,191.

Describes single-step process for the direct conversion of olefins containing 2-5 C atoms per molecule to alcohols containing 1 more C atom than the olefins employed.  The method consists essentially of contacting the alcohols with CO gas and H₂ and 5-30% by weight of H₂O based on the olefin in the presence of a Co-containing catalyst at a pressure of 2,500-3,500 p.s.i. at a temperature of about 250°-450° F.  According to British Patent 631,316 (abs. 577) the reaction is carried out in a liquid medium (H₂O) and the catalyst used is H₂O soluble.  According to this method the catalyst need not be H₂O soluble.  Suitable catalysts are Co oleate or naphthenate, or Fe linoleate.