3171.     ---------------.  [SHERWOOD, P. W.]  Primary Long-Chain Alcohols.  New Petrochemical.  Oil Gas Jour., vol. 48, No. 5, 1949, pp. 71-72, 74-76, 82.

        Two processes, the Synol and the Oxo processes, are available for the synthesis of primary long-chain alcohols.  The latter has achieved commercial realization, and further development is in progress.  The former has not reached industrial utilization because the alcohol production is nonselective; the product ranges from EtCH to its homologs of high molecular weight as well as a large output of hydrocarbons.  The reaction mechanism involving the Synol synthesis is not clearly understood but is thought to be similar to the Fischer-Tropsch mechanism.  The most striking characteristic of the product is the almost complete absence of secondary or branched-chain alcohols.  Separation of the alcohols from the hydrocarbons is accomplished most efficiently by forming the boric acid esters.  The Oxo reaction, on the other hand, is remarkably versatile and takes place readily with a number of olefinic and acetylenic compounds.  Olefins ranging from ethylene to diisobutylene from cyclohexene to pinene have been successfully processed, usually with yields in excess of 90%.  Thus, it is ideally suited for the manufacture of a wide range of primary monoalcohols and a more limited range of aldehydes.  Where the alcohol is the desired final product, the reaction is carried in 2 successive stages:  Oxoation followed by hydrogenation of the aldehydic product.  Where the desired product is 1 particular product rather than a mixture, it is necessary to employ a highly purified olefin as starting material.  A limitation of the process is that it is not possible to effect the reaction with aromatic compounds.