| abstract |
The present invention provides 1,6-hexanediol and caprolactone from a carboxylic acid mixture obtained by aqueous extraction of the reaction mixture as a by-product of the catalytic oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanone / cyclohexanol using oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas. Relates to a process which is preferably at least 99.5% pure and in particular substantially free of 1,4-cyclohexanediol, in which case the process hydrogenates, esterifies and partially flows the carboxylic acid mixture. Hydrogenation to hexanediol and cyclization of the 6-hydroxycaproic acid ester, wherein 1,4-cyclohexanediol is separated from the esterification mixture by fractional distillation or ultimately from caprolactone. To separate. |