PATENT

3550. ----- [STANDARD OIL CO.]  Synthesis of Alcohols.  British Patent 671,608, may 9, 1950.  British Abs., B, II, 1952, p. 796; Chem. Abs., vol. 47, 1953, p. 4356.

Olefins are passed with CO and H2 over a carbonylation catalyst (Co compound) at an elevated pressure and temperature.  The product (a liquid mixture of aldehydes, H2O, dissolved catalyst and catalyst carbonyl) is dehydrated to about 0.5% H2O content, subjected to heat and an inert stripping gas to remove catalyst, and then hydrogenated in presence of 8 wt. % of H2O at 400°-550° F., under pressure of 2,800-3,200 p. s. i. , over a Mo sulfide catalyst on activated C.  High yields of  alcohols of 1 more C than the olefins used are obtained.