PATENT

3452.  STANDARD OIL CO.  Alcohol Synthesis.  British Patent 651,250; appl. filed in United States May 20, 1948.  Petroleum, vol. 14, 1951, p. 227.

Process proceeds in 2 stages: Formation mainly of aldehydes. and hydrogenation of the product to the corresponding primary alcohols.  Carbonylation or the Oxo process may be used effectively with long- or short- chain olefinic compounds according to the alcohol required.  The catalyst may be Fe or Co, preferably the latter.  The hydrolysis products so formed may beat least partly recycled to the hydrogenation zone.  Hydrolysis is performed in the presence of dilute mineral acid at 200°-250° F. or in a substantially neutral aqueous medium at 300°-400° F.  The products are separated by seam or vacuum distillation.