| abstract |
The invention relates to a method for improving the yield in the production of polyhydric alcohols, by hydrogenation of hydroxymethylated alkanals, by decomposition of derivatives of said alcohols. 5 ppm to 1 wt. %, preferably 100 to 1000 ppm of a suitable acid is added to a water-free mixture, containing the said derivatives, the resulting mixture heated to a temperature of 100 to 300 DEG C and the polyvalent alcohol removed by distillation. The above method permits a simple and effective way of decomposing the undesired compounds formed during this synthesis that boil at a higher temperature than the polyhydric alcohol. |