| abstract |
The invention relates to processes for preparing 1, 6-hexanediol and very pure ε -caprolactone from a dicarboxylic acid solution (DCS), comprising the steps of (a) esterification of the DCS with alcohols, (b) partial catalytic hydrogenation of the esters, (c) distillative removal of 1, 6- hexanediol and low boilers as the top product, and (d) cyclization of the 6-hydroxycaproic ester present in the bottoms fraction in the presence of a higher-boiling alcohol than caprolactone. |