A reactor for performing a reaction between two immiscible fluids of different density, comprising an interior formed by a cylindrical, vertically oriented elongate shell, a bottom and a cap, wherein the interior is divided by internals into a backmixed zone, a zone of limited backmixing preferably arranged below the backmixed zone and a plug-flow zone which are at least consecutively traversable by one of the fluids, wherein the backmixed zone comprises at least one inlet and the plug-flow zone comprises an outlet and the backmixed zone comprises at least one mixing apparatus selected from a stirrer, a jet nozzle and means for injecting the fluid of lower density, a first cylindrical internal element which in the interior extends in the longitudinal direction of the reactor, which delimits the zone of limited backmixing from the plug-flow zone and which comprises a first passage to the backmixed zone and a second passage to the plug-flow zone, a second internal element which delimits the backmixed zone from the plug-flow zone such that there is no direct fluid connection between the backmixed zone and the plug-flow zone, and backmixing-preventing third internal elements in the form of random packings, structured packings or liquid-permeable trays arranged in the zone of limited backmixing. The reactor allows an optimal residence time distribution in the reaction of the two immiscible fluids of different density. The invention further relates to a process for performing a continuous reaction in the reactor.

A reactor for performing a reaction between two immiscible fluids of different density, comprising an interior formed by a cylindrical, vertically oriented elongate shell, a bottom and a cap, wherein the interior is divided by internals into a backmixed zone, a zone of limited backmixing preferably arranged below the backmixed zone and a plug-flow zone which are at least consecutively traversable by one of the fluids, wherein the backmixed zone comprises at least one inlet and the plug-flow zone comprises an outlet and the backmixed zone comprises at least one mixing apparatus selected from a stirrer, a jet nozzle and means for injecting the fluid of lower density, a first cylindrical internal element which in the interior extends in the longitudinal direction of the reactor, which delimits the zone of limited backmixing from the plug-flow zone and which comprises a first passage to the backmixed zone and a second passage to the plug-flow zone, a second internal element which delimits the backmixed zone from the plug-flow zone such that there is no direct fluid connection between the backmixed zone and the plug-flow zone, and backmixing-preventing third internal elements in the form of random packings, structured packings or liquid-permeable trays arranged in the zone of limited backmixing. The reactor allows an optimal residence time distribution in the reaction of the two immiscible fluids of different density. The invention further relates to a process for performing a continuous reaction in the reactor.

The present disclosure relates to a method for preparation of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol. According to the present disclosure, two step reduction reactions are conducted using terephthalic acid as starting material, and an isomerization process for increasing the rate of trans isomers of CHDA is introduced therebetween, thereby providing a method capable of stably preparing CHDM with high rate of trans isomers.

The present disclosure relates to a method for preparation of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol. According to the present disclosure, two step reduction reactions are conducted using terephthalic acid as starting material, and an isomerization process for increasing the rate of trans isomers of CHDA is introduced therebetween, thereby providing a method capable of stably preparing CHDM with high rate of trans isomers.

Provided is a process in which a cyclobutanediol compound having a high cis:trans ratio can be stably obtained. The cyclobutanediol compound having a cis:trans ratio of 1.5:1 to 5000:1 is produced by using at least one compound selected from a group consisting of a cyclobutanedione compound, a cyclobutane ketol compound, and a cyclobutanediol compound as a raw material, and performing a catalytic hydrogenation reaction and an isomerization reaction in the cyclobutanediol compound in a solid phase state in the presence of a metal catalyst without adding a solvent.

Provided is a process in which a cyclobutanediol compound having a high cis:trans ratio can be stably obtained. The cyclobutanediol compound having a cis:trans ratio of 1.5:1 to 5000:1 is produced by using at least one compound selected from a group consisting of a cyclobutanedione compound, a cyclobutane ketol compound, and a cyclobutanediol compound as a raw material, and performing a catalytic hydrogenation reaction and an isomerization reaction in the cyclobutanediol compound in a solid phase state in the presence of a metal catalyst without adding a solvent.

Provided is a process in which a cyclobutanediol compound having a high cis:trans ratio can be stably obtained. The cyclobutanediol compound having a cis:trans ratio of 1.5:1 to 5000:1 is produced by using at least one compound selected from a group consisting of a cyclobutanedione compound, a cyclobutane ketol compound, and a cyclobutanediol compound as a raw material, and performing a catalytic hydrogenation reaction and an isomerization reaction in the cyclobutanediol compound in a solid phase state in the presence of a metal catalyst without adding a solvent.

An aluminum catalyst is obtained by reacting at least one compound of a specific alkylaluminum compound and a specific hydridoaluminum compound with a specific hydroxy compound. The specific hydroxyl compound is a specific 2-cycloalkyl-6-arylphenol or a specific di(2-cycloalkyl-6-arylphenol). A method for producing isopulegol or optically active isopulegol includes selectively cyclizing citronellal using the aluminum catalyst.

An aluminum catalyst is obtained by reacting at least one compound of a specific alkylaluminum compound and a specific hydridoaluminum compound with a specific hydroxy compound. The specific hydroxyl compound is a specific 2-cycloalkyl-6-arylphenol or a specific di(2-cycloalkyl-6-arylphenol). A method for producing isopulegol or optically active isopulegol includes selectively cyclizing citronellal using the aluminum catalyst.

An aluminum catalyst is obtained by reacting at least one compound of a specific alkylaluminum compound and a specific hydridoaluminum compound with a specific hydroxy compound. The specific hydroxyl compound is a specific 2-cycloalkyl-6-arylphenol or a specific di(2-cycloalkyl-6-arylphenol). A method for producing isopulegol or optically active isopulegol includes selectively cyclizing citronellal using the aluminum catalyst.