| abstract |
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of 1,2-propanediol from propylene oxide, which process involves contacting propylene oxide with carbon dioxide in the presence of a homogeneous phosphorus containing catalyst to obtain propylene carbonate, optionally removing at least part of the carbon dioxide, adding water and/or an alcohol to the reaction product containing propylene carbonate and phosphorus containing catalyst and contacting the mixture with a heterogeneous catalyst to obtain 1,2-propanediol in combination with dialkylcarbonate and/or carbon dioxide, and separating 1,2-propanediol from the reaction product obtained. |