| abstract |
The present invention relates to a method for continuously producing C4-C10 diols from C3-C9 aldehydes, comprising the method steps: a) base-catalyzed addition of formaldehyde to C3-C9 aldehydes, the corresponding hydroxyaldehydes thus being obtained, and b) subsequent hydrogenation of the hydroxyaldehydes to form the corresponding diols, the hydrogenation of the hydroxyaldehydes being carried out, without processing of the reaction mixture from method step a), continuously in the liquid phase on a Raney™ cobalt catalyst in the presence of hydrogen. |