| abstract |
"PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF GYCOLALDEDE, CATALYST COMPOSITION, AND PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF ETHYLENE GLYCOL". The invention provides a process for preparing glycolaldehyde by reacting formaldehyde with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst composition which is based on, a) a rhodium source, and b) a ligand of formula R¬ 1¬PR ¬ 2¬ (I), where R¬ 1¬ is a divalent radical which together with the phosphorus atom to which it is attached is a group of 2-phospho-tricyl ¢ 3.3. 1.1 {3,7}! Optionally substituted decyl, wherein from 1 to 5 of the carbon atoms has been replaced by a heteroatom, and wherein R 2 is a monovalent radical which is an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group having from 1 to 40 carbon atoms; a catalyst composition for use in said process; and a process for preparing ethylene glycol from the glycolaldehyde thus prepared. |