| abstract |
A process is disclosed for producing Guerbet alcohols by condensing at least one primary or secondary alkanol with 2 to 30 carbon atoms in the presence of an alkali catalyzer and a co-catalyzer at higher temperatures and by removing the reaction water. As co-catalyzer, derivates from titanium(IV) or zirconium(IV) acids are used, selected from the group formed by the alkali metal titanates, alkali metal zirconates, titanium(IV) or zirconium(IV) acid esters with C1-C4 alkanols or polyols with 2 to 12 carbon atoms and 2 to 6 OH groups, titanium dioxide, zirconium dioxide, mixed anhydrides of titanium(IV) or zirconium(IV) acids with C2-C4 monocarboxylic acids and titanium(IV) or zirconium(IV) acetylacetonates. This process supplies high yields of Guerbet alcools that are essentially free from higher molecular condensation product. |