| abstract |
A method for producing a sugar alcohol having six carbon atoms, characterized in that a ketohexose such as psicose, tagatose, sorbose, or the like is hydrogenized in the presence of a catalyst containing a metal selected from the elements belonging to Group 8 of the Periodic Table such as nickel, ruthenium, platinum, palladium or the like. The method allows the production of a large amount of a sugar alcohol having six carbon atoms with good efficiency with easy separation and recovery of a catalyst, and can be used also for producing a mixture of two or more types of sugar alcohol having a desired ratio with good efficiency. |