Disclosed herein are methods for synthesizing 1,2,5,6-hexanetetrol (HTO), 1,6 hexanediol (HDO) and other reduced polyols from C5 and C6 sugar alcohols or R glycosides. The methods include contacting the sugar alcohol or R-glycoside with a copper catalyst, most desirably a Raney copper catalyst with hydrogen for a time, temperature and pressure sufficient to form reduced polyols having 2 to 3 fewer hydoxy groups than the starting material. When the starting compound is a C6 sugar alcohol such as sorbitol or R-glycoside of a C6 sugar such as methyl glucoside, the predominant product is HTO. The same catalyst can be used to further reduce the HTO to HDO.

Disclosed herein are methods for synthesizing 1,2,5,6-hexanetetrol (HTO), 1,6 hexanediol (HDO) and other reduced polyols from C5 and C6 sugar alcohols or R glycosides. The methods include contacting the sugar alcohol or R-glycoside with a copper catalyst, most desirably a Raney copper catalyst with hydrogen for a time, temperature and pressure sufficient to form reduced polyols having 2 to 3 fewer hydoxy groups than the starting material. When the starting compound is a C6 sugar alcohol such as sorbitol or R-glycoside of a C6 sugar such as methyl glucoside, the predominant product is HTO. The same catalyst can be used to further reduce the HTO to HDO.

The present invention relates to a process for continuous production of C4-C10 Diols from C3-C9 aldehydes comprising the process steps of: a) base-catalyzed addition of formaldehyde onto C3-C9 aldehydes to obtain the corresponding hydroxyaldehydes and b) subsequent hydrogenation of the hydroxyaldehydes to afford the corresponding diols, wherein the hydrogenation of the hydroxyaldehydes is performed continuously in the liquid phase over a Raney cobalt catalyst in the presence of hydrogen without workup of the reaction mixture from the process step a).

The present invention relates to a process for continuous production of C4-C10 Diols from C3-C9 aldehydes comprising the process steps of: a) base-catalyzed addition of formaldehyde onto C3-C9 aldehydes to obtain the corresponding hydroxyaldehydes and b) subsequent hydrogenation of the hydroxyaldehydes to afford the corresponding diols, wherein the hydrogenation of the hydroxyaldehydes is performed continuously in the liquid phase over a Raney cobalt catalyst in the presence of hydrogen without workup of the reaction mixture from the process step a).

A supported catalyst and preparation method thereof, the catalyst comprising an organic polymer material carrier and Raney alloy particles supported on the organic polymer material carrier, wherein substantially all of the Raney alloy particles are partially embedded in the organic polymer material carrier. The catalyst can be used in hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, amination, dehalogenation or desulfuration reactions.

A supported catalyst and preparation method thereof, the catalyst comprising an organic polymer material carrier and Raney alloy particles supported on the organic polymer material carrier, wherein substantially all of the Raney alloy particles are partially embedded in the organic polymer material carrier. The catalyst can be used in hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, amination, dehalogenation or desulfuration reactions.

A process for preparing materials derived from sugar alcohols such that the dehydration products exhibit better accountability and improved color to water-clear or near water-white appearance is described. In particular, the process involves employing a reducing Brnsted acid (e.g., phosphonic acid) for the catalysis of sugar alcohols to their corresponding dehydrated-cyclized products.

A process for preparing materials derived from sugar alcohols such that the dehydration products exhibit better accountability and improved color to water-clear or near water-white appearance is described. In particular, the process involves employing a reducing Brnsted acid (e.g., phosphonic acid) for the catalysis of sugar alcohols to their corresponding dehydrated-cyclized products.

Isophoronediamine, is prepared by A) subjecting isophoronenitrile directly in one stage to aminating hydrogenation to give isophoronediamine in the presence of ammonia, hydrogen, a hydrogenation catalyst and an optional additive, and in the presence or absence of an organic solvent; or B) first converting isophoronenitrile fully or partly in at least two or more than two stages to isophoronenitrile imine, and subjecting the isophoronenitrile imine to aminating hydrogenation to give isophoronediamine as a pure substance or in a mixture with another component and/or isophoronenitrile, in the presence of at least ammonia, hydrogen and a catalyst.

Isophoronediamine, is prepared by A) subjecting isophoronenitrile directly in one stage to aminating hydrogenation to give isophoronediamine in the presence of ammonia, hydrogen, a hydrogenation catalyst and an optional additive, and in the presence or absence of an organic solvent; or B) first converting isophoronenitrile fully or partly in at least two or more than two stages to isophoronenitrile imine, and subjecting the isophoronenitrile imine to aminating hydrogenation to give isophoronediamine as a pure substance or in a mixture with another component and/or isophoronenitrile, in the presence of at least ammonia, hydrogen and a catalyst.