| abstract |
A method comprising a hydrodimerising reaction of 1,3-butadiene with water in the presence of a transition metal in the form of a metal or compound thereof, a tertiary or quaternary water-soluble phosphorus compound and at least a nitrogen compound, characterized in that the nitrogen compound is chosen from tertiary amine and a quaternary ammonium salt of general formula (I) or (II), wherein each of Rp, Rq and, if required Rs, which are the same or different, is a methyl or ethyl group, group Rr is C6-22 alkyl, group X- is a counter anion chosen from HCO¿3?-, CO32-, HSO3-, SO32-, SiO32-, PO43-, HPO32-, AsO43-, SO42-, HSO4-, RSO3-, RCO2-, OH-, and R is an alkyl group; and in that said reaction is carried out in the presence of carbon dioxide. |