The invention provides a process for the separation of MEG from a glycol stream comprising MEG and 1,2-BDO, said process comprising the steps of: (a) providing the glycol stream and an azeotrope-forming agent to a distillation column, (b) subjecting the glycol stream and the azeotrope-forming agent to distillation at a distillation temperature and a distillation pressure; (c) obtaining a first overhead stream comprising an azeotrope of MEG and the azeotrope-forming agent and a first bottoms stream comprising 1,2-BDO; and (d) subjecting the first overhead stream to phase separation in the presence of water to obtain an MEG-rich aqueous stream and an azeotrope-forming agent rich stream, wherein the azeotrope-forming agent is an organic solvent that forms a homogeneous azeotrope with MEG and does not form an azeotrope with 1,2-BDO at the distillation temperature and pressure.

The present invention provides a process for the production of n-butanoland 1,4-butanediol, said process comprising contacting furan with hydrogen and water in the presence of a catalytic composition, comprising at least one element selected from those in groups 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the periodic table on a solid support comprising an amorphous or crystalline aluminosilicate in an acidic form, wherein the catalyst does not contain metals selected from those in groups 6 and 7 of the periodic table.

The present invention provides a process for the production of n-butanoland 1,4-butanediol, said process comprising contacting furan with hydrogen and water in the presence of a catalytic composition, comprising at least one element selected from those in groups 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the periodic table on a solid support comprising an amorphous or crystalline aluminosilicate in an acidic form, wherein the catalyst does not contain metals selected from those in groups 6 and 7 of the periodic table.

A phosphorus ligand-free, mild, efficient and complete catalytic hydrogenation process is for the sustainable production of terminal diols from renewable terminal dialkyl esters with improved yield. Soluble, phosphorus ligand free Ru (II)-pincer type complexes can be used as catalysts in the hydrogenation process.

A phosphorus ligand-free, mild, efficient and complete catalytic hydrogenation process is for the sustainable production of terminal diols from renewable terminal dialkyl esters with improved yield. Soluble, phosphorus ligand free Ru (II)-pincer type complexes can be used as catalysts in the hydrogenation process.

The invention provides a process for the separation of MEG and 1,2-BDO from a first mixture comprising MEG and 1,2-BDO, said process comprising the steps of: (i) providing said first mixture comprising MEG and 1,2-BDO as a feed to a distillation column; (ii) providing a feed comprising glycerol to the distillation column above the first mixture; (iii) operating the distillation column at a temperature in the range of from 50 to 250° C. and a pressure in the range of from 0.1 to 400 kPa; (iv) removing a stream comprising MEG and glycerol as a bottoms stream from the distillation column; and (v) (v) removing a stream comprising 1,2-BDO above the point at which the feed comprising glycerol is provided to the distillation column.

The invention provides a process for the separation of MEG and 1,2-BDO from a first mixture comprising MEG and 1,2-BDO, said process comprising the steps of: (i) providing said first mixture comprising MEG and 1,2-BDO as a feed to a distillation column; (ii) providing a feed comprising glycerol to the distillation column above the first mixture; (iii) operating the distillation column at a temperature in the range of from 50 to 250° C. and a pressure in the range of from 0.1 to 400 kPa; (iv) removing a stream comprising MEG and glycerol as a bottoms stream from the distillation column; and (v) (v) removing a stream comprising 1,2-BDO above the point at which the feed comprising glycerol is provided to the distillation column.

Provided is a high-purity 1,3-butylene glycol product that is odorless and is unlikely to cause acid concentration increase over time in a state containing water. A 1,3-butylene glycol product, having, according to a gas chromatographic analysis performed under predetermined conditions, a peak area ratio of 100 ppm or lower appearing in a relative retention time ranging from 1.35 to 1.45, provided that the relative retention time for a peak of 1,3-butylene glycol is 1.0.

Provided is a high-purity 1,3-butylene glycol product that is odorless and is unlikely to cause acid concentration increase over time in a state containing water. A 1,3-butylene glycol product, having, according to a gas chromatographic analysis performed under predetermined conditions, a peak area ratio of 100 ppm or lower appearing in a relative retention time ranging from 1.35 to 1.45, provided that the relative retention time for a peak of 1,3-butylene glycol is 1.0.

The invention relates to a process for manufacturing 2,3-butanediol by hydrogenation of acetoin using a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst and under conditions leading to a selectivity higher than 90%. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrogenation is carried out in the presence of no solvent or in the presence of a solvent like water or 2,3-butanediol.