3908.  WERNER, E. G. G., KEULEMANS, A. I. M., AND HOOG, H. (N. V. de Bataafsche Petroleum Maatschappij.) [Purification of Aliphatic Alcohols Prepared From Olefins.] Netherlands Patent 64,011, Sept. 15, 1949. Chem. Abs., vol. 44, 1950, p. 1525.

Alcohols prepared from olefins with CO and H2, with subsequent hydrogenation of the aldehydes first formed, are purified by a final catalytic hydrogenation. The alcohols are used for the preparation of ester with phthalic, maleic, adipic, or other dicarboxylic acids, suitable as plasticizers. Only after purification by hydrogenation of the alcohols can plasticizers be obtained which are clear and colorless. For example a mixture of alcohols prepared from olefins with 6-8 C atoms is hydrogenated during 2 hr. at 180° and 200 atm. H₂, with a Ni catalyst; the color changes from light brown to pale yellow. The phthalates prepared from this product are clear and only slightly colored. The best results are obtained with a mixture of alcohols which is freed from unchanged initial products and high-boiling fractions by distillation.