Abstract:

2,2-Dimethyl-1,3-propylene glycol (neopentyl glycol) shows a unique structure and excellent chemical properties and is widely used in medicine, textiles, coatings, petroleum and other fields. In this paper, the methods for the preparation of neopentyl glycol were briefly described, including the halogenated alcohol process, the formaldehyde disproportionation and the condensation hydrogenation of iso-butyraldehyde, and the catalyst and process system for the synthesis of the intermediate hydroxy-pivalaldehyde and neopentyl glycol in the condensation hydrogenation of iso-butyraldehyde were described in detail. By comparison of the performance of different catalysts and the catalytic hydrogenation process, the development direction of the neopentyl glycol synthesis process was proposed. Firstly, a solid basic catalyst with appropriate alkalinity, phase transfer function and reusability was required in the aldol condensation. Secondly, the hydrogenation of hydroxy-pivalaldehyde to neopentyl glycol required a pollution-free solid catalyst that could tolerate impurities and water and showed the ability to hydrogenate 3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylpropyl 3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylpropionate. Thirdly, the intensified device should be designed in the catalytic hydrogenation process to improve the mass and heat transfer rate of the reaction and the total yield of neopentyl glycol. Fourthly, a formate recovery device was installed to improve economic benefits.

Key words: neopentyl glycol, hydroxy-pivalaldehyde, iso-butyraldehyde, condensation, hydrogenation, catalyst, reaction engineering

摘要：

2,2-二甲基-1,3-丙二醇（俗称新戊二醇）独特的结构赋予了其优异的化学性能，使其广泛应用于医药、纺织、涂料、石油等领域。本文简述了新戊二醇制备的方法，包括卤代醇工艺、甲醛歧化工艺和异丁醛缩合加氢工艺，并详细介绍了异丁醛缩合加氢工艺中中间体2,2-二甲基-3-羟基丙醛（俗称羟基新戊醛）和新戊二醇所需的催化剂和工艺系统。通过对比不同催化剂的性能以及催化加氢工艺，提出了新戊二醇合成工艺的发展方向：羟醛缩合反应需要碱性适中、具有相转移功能、可重复利用的固体碱性催化剂，而羟基新戊醛加氢合成新戊二醇则需要能够耐受杂质和水，同时对羟基特戊酸新戊二醇酯有加氢能力的固体催化剂；催化加氢工艺应设计强化装置以提高反应的传质传热速率，增加新戊二醇的总收率，并增设甲酸盐回收装置，以提高经济效益。

关键词: 新戊二醇, 羟基新戊醛, 异丁醛, 缩合, 加氢, 催化剂, 反应工程